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Elon Musk Provides More Details About the Cybertruck's “Range Extender” – "Fits in 1/3 of Truck Bed, Intended For Long Trips & Towing Up Mountains”

Tesla launched the Cybertruck with a “Range Extender” that bumps the Cybertruck’s range to 470 miles. Elon Musk has provided details saying it’s “an optional battery pack that fits in 1/3 of the truck bed, used for long trips & towing things up mountains”
Tesla Cybertruck

After an unbearable 4 years of wait, Tesla has finally delivered the first Cybertrucks to customers. Not only that the EV maker has also held a live-streamed event confirming the final specs of the vehicle.

In addition, Tesla has also given a tour of the Cybertruck production line and updated the online studio with more details.

Everything we’ve learned about the Cybertruck so far has been exciting however, one unusual feature that popped up on Tesla’s online configurator is the idea of a “Range Extender”.

Related News: Tesla Stock Falls Ahead of Cybertruck Delivery as MKBHD Accidentally Revealed 265 Miles EPA Range in a Review Cybertruck

During the live stream and in the online configurator, Tesla said the Cybertruck has 3 versions a single-motor rear-wheel drive, a dual-motor all-wheel drive, and a tri-motor Performance version called “Cyberbeast”.

Tesla said the tri-motor and the dual motor will be available in 2024 and the single motor will launch in 2025.

As for their respective ranges, the Rear Wheel Drive Cybertruck gets 250 miles EPA estimated range, the All-Wheel Drive variant gets 340 miles EPA range, and the tri-motor Cyberbeast gets 320 mile EPA range.

This was a middle-of-the-pack number among all-electric trucks. For example, the max pack Rivian R1T gets 410 mile range and the Ford F-150 Lightning has 320 mile range. 

However, in the online configurator, Tesla also added a “Range Extender” option which bumps up the range numbers for the Cyberbeast to 440 miles and the All-Wheel Drive version up to 470 miles.

Despite the novelty of the concept of a Tesla “Range Extender”, the EV maker did not clarify this feature other than stating the extended range numbers.

Understandably people took to X (Twitter) to ask Elon Musk what this “range extender” is and to our delight Musk replied with more clarification. Fred Lambert wrote to Musk saying “Hey Elon could you please explain the deal with the "range extender"? Lots of confusion out here.”

Musk in response said the range extender is an “optional pack that fits in about 1/3 of the truck bed. Still room for plenty of of cargo. It’s meant for very long trips or towing heavy things up mountains.”

This is certainly interesting and is the first time Tesla has offered such a system. Thinking about it a bit, it makes sense that Tesla would offer such an option on a truck given the ample space.

We’re thankful for Musk’s clarification however, Musk’s answer still leaves some questions. First, when he means the optional pack will take up 1/3 of the bed, does he mean horizontally, vertically, or both?

Also, if it’s an optional pack, does it mean you can remove and store it until you need the extra range or does it come permanently installed from Tesla? Also, would the added batteries be a structural piece and how does it affect charging speeds?

Sadly at this point, we’ve more questions than answers however, we’ll be sure to keep you posted as we learn more about Tesla’s new “range extender”. Until then, make sure to visit our site torquenews.com/Tesla regularly for the latest updates.

So what do you think? Surprised to learn that Tesla is offering a range extender with the Cybertruck? What is your overall take of the Cybertruck now that you know all the final specs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Image: Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

For more information check out: Tesla’s Decision to Not Paint the Cybertruck Has been Validated After 13 Cybertrucks Were Seen Next to a Helipad

Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and The evolution of the EV space on a daily basis for several years. He covers everything about Tesla from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.

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