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My Tesla Cybertruck Only Costs 3.2 Cents Per Mile, My Ford F-350 Costs 31 Cents Per Mile, But Both Trucks Have Their Purpose

How does a Tesla Cybertruck compare with a Ford F-350? Dave is an owner of both a 2024 Cybertruck and a 2007 Ford F-350. He likes both trucks and gives an honest evaluation with cost analysis so potential Cybertruck buyers can make an informed decision. 

Should you buy a Tesla Cybertruck?

In a Facebook post, Dave Peck says he owns a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck and a Ford F350 Super Duty Crew Cab 4WD pickup truck. Which one does he like the most? 

Dave says, "I love both trucks for what they are. Both gas and electric serve a purpose."

Dave wants potential Cybertruck buyers and those who are CT "haters," as he calls them out on his Facebook post, to know that his controversial Cybertruck is a great vehicle.  

Recent reports have sparked controversy over the Cybertruck's success. While some analysts have labeled it a 'flop,' others argue that it's a polarizing yet innovative addition to the Market. This controversy adds an interesting dimension to the Cybertruck's story.

I recently wrote a report on the Cybertyruck, in which two analysts say that the polarizing electric Cybertruck is a flop.

One analyst says, "I think the Cybertruck can be officially considered a flop now. Remember, this was going to be Tesla's F-150. The new benchmark, the foundational vehicle for the Tesla brand, will keep it super powerful, super profitable, and high volume."

What do Cybertruck owners say?

Dave is here to tell the analysts and all the detractors they are wrong. He gets upset with the Cybertruck haters mainly because they don't even own a Cybertruck and are not educated on the Cybertruck's purpose and what it does compared with trucks like a Ford F-350 Super Duty pickup.  

Let's hear from Dave about how he breaks down the costs for Cybertruck and his F-350. 

"Both of these are my trucks," he says. "My 2007 F-350 costs $140 for a tank of gas and will go about 450 miles on a tank. Dave says it costs him 31 cents a mile to operate the Ford F-350 (10x more than his CT). "It has a 12,500 lb towing capacity, 4000 lb payload capacity, and goes from 0-60 in 9.4 seconds." 

It (his Ford F-350) was $44,000 new. It costs about $225 for oil changes every 5,000 miles. For those who say that's way too much to spend for an oil change, Dave uses full synthetic oil and gets it done at the dealer. He could do it himself for less ($100), and he does it occasionally. 

Dave says he has spent $9000 having his Ford F-350 "bulletproofed from blowing a head gasket at under 100,000 miles," $1200 on steering issues, $1500 on transmission issues, and around $3500 on maintenance needs other than general wear and tear items. 

His F-350 currently has 106,000 miles on it. "My Total investment other than gas and oil changes is approximately $60,000 so far. A new version of the same F-350 Super Duty Lariat Crew Cab 4WD is $90,345. Add self-driving and similar options as a Cybertruck, and you are over $100,000."

Dave says, "A Cybertruck Cyberbeast cost is $106,000 currently, costs around $8.00 at home to charge and go 250 miles (3.2 cents per mile), has an 11,000 lb towing capacity, 2,500 lb payload capacity, requires no oil changes or transmission services, no maintenance other than tires and brakes actually, and goes 0-60 in 2.6 seconds." 

Let's see the comparison side by side.

Tesla Cybertruck       Ford F-350 

3.2 Cents Per Mile    31 cents a mile (10x more than his CT)

$0 oil change.            $100-$225 oil change

$106,000                   $60,000 so far ($100,000 for a 2025 model year with similar options)

11,000 lb tow rating.  12,500 lb tow rating

2,500 lb payload        4000 lb payload

0-60 in 2.6 seconds.  0-60 in 9.4 seconds

As you can see, the Cybertruck and the Ford F-350 Super Duty are two very diligent trucks for different purposes. Dave owns both and uses them differently.

What are others saying about the CT? Here are a few comments on Dave's Facebook post.

Craig Younnel - The CT is a creatively designed vehicle that also functions as a pickup. I don't think it was made to replace the old-fashioned F-150. It's something new, and we're going to see a pullback from small-minded people.

Erik Moore -  A Cybertruck will never replace a frame rail truck. They're just different animals.

Boboi - Just don't go on a road trip with CT. The range goes down to 150 miles for every further recharge after using up the first charge without the AC/heater. Charge to 80% only and 50 extra left on charge =150-mile range per charging station. Try it.

I saw a photo of a CT towing a camper on a road trip; that was a big joke. It's a 20-mile range there.

Why did Elon Musk build the Cybertruck? 

Musk says the Ford trucks are boring. A report from Business Insider says, "Elon Musk apparently isn't a fan of Ford's traditional pickup trucks, and his distaste for the vehicles spawned the Cybertruck, according to the billionaire's biographer, Walter Isaacson. 

Isaacson says, "He's sitting there with his design chief Franz von Holzhausen and looking at a Ford truck, and he said, 'No, these things are boring."

Isaacson added. "And everybody's pushing back on him at this meeting. He finally says, 'Yeah, stop it. We're gonna do it. We're gonna make it edgy."

So far, Tesla has sold around 39,000 Cybertrucks in the U.S. in 2024, according to a January 13 estimate from Cox Automotive. They estimated 2024 electric Ford F-150 Lightning sales at 33,510 vehicles, which was good for second place among EV pickups after the Cybertruck.

It appears Tesla is winning the EV truck race with the Cybertruck. Don't tell Cybertruck owners that it's a flop. 

Dr. Jay Larson, podiatrist and Cybertruck owner who posts about his experiences under MyCybertruckLife on X, told Newsweek, "Because I was able to own one of the first trucks in Arizona, I was able to meet a lot of people in the car scene in AZ." 

"My truck was front and center in several car shows... I've had multiple companies reach out, wanting me to test their products as well. It has been really fun! I've met a lot of other Cybertruck owners as well. Every single one of them that I have met feels the exact same way that I do—they love their truck." 

Dave concludes by saying, "I love both trucks for what they are. They both have their purpose. The only "stupid people" that are constantly mentioned in Cybertruck posts are the ones who can't see what a badass, innovative, and awesome sport truck it is and who say things without being educated on CT's in any fashion other than what they read in National Enquirer style web posts."

How about you?

Do you own a Tesla Cybertruck? What's your experience with the polarizing truck? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

How does the Cybertruck do on a long road trip? 

Check out my Cybertruck story titled; Tesla Cybertruck Owner Says, “I Took a Road Trip From NC to Toronto, Stopping Every 2 Hours To Charge For 20 Minutes Became Tedious”

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReportAll Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierlFacebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Dave Peck with permission

Comments

LB (not verified)    January 24, 2025 - 9:22AM

The sticker price comparison is lopsided to say the least. A Tesla Flintstone truck is more than 10 times more than a Ford One Tonner. The only thing to be concerned about with the Ford is it's engine. If equipped with a 6.4 or heaven forbid a 6.0 nightmare, pass. Those are absolute junk. The 6.7 is almost as solid as a 7.3.

TJ (not verified)    January 24, 2025 - 9:53AM

There's serious deficiencies with the CT, and this guy's logic. Comparing new to old trucks while using new f250 numbers isn't really going to work. I mean if you want something that's quick, and can tow a short ways, the CT could work for you. Looks wise? I'm definitely not a fan of the CT.

Lance Thayer (not verified)    January 25, 2025 - 11:46AM

10x / mile
In California, that is what we are seeing when you compare:
retail gas ($5/gal) vs Home Solar ($0.10/kWh)