Junk In The Trunk? The Tesla Cybertruck’s Range-Extending Battery Pack Doesn’t Pull Out
The Cybertruck is impressively efficient for a full-size electric pickup, providing up to 340 miles of range from its 123 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack, according to Tesla.
That’s roughly equivalent to a car that gets 90 mpg and better than any of the other full-size electric trucks on the market today, including the F-150 Lightning that’s officially rated at maximum of 70 mpge (miles per gallon equivalent.)
Nevertheless, the figure has disappointed some people because when it was first revealed in 2019, the company said it would be able to go up to 500 miles between charges.
While it won’t be able to reach that figure in the foreseeable future, Tesla will soon offer a range-extending battery pack accessory that it says will increase the dual-motor All-Wheel Drive Cybertruck’s range to 470 miles between charges.
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A single released image of the pack shows that it fits in the front of the Cybertruck’s bed up against the wall of the cabin. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but a $16,000 amount has been spotted in the source code on Tesla’s website, according to Teslarati.
Based on the range increase, the pack’s capacity is likely on the order of 35 kWh, which could weigh approximately 350 pounds, as the full Cybertruck pack tips the scales at just under 1,600 pounds.
After its reveal, Elon Musk said that “it’s meant for very long trips or towing heavy things up mountains,” suggesting that it would be an accessory that owners could install when needed, but it sounds like that’s not the case.
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When asked by someone on X if the pack would be “easily” removable and possible offered as a short-term rental, Cybertruck lead engineer Wes Morrill said, “no, any range extender offered by Tesla will be structurally mounted so it’s safe in a crash.”
He didn’t clarify the process or say if it will be possible to remove it after the fact, but it’s clearly not intended to be regularly pushed in in and pulled out out by the owner. All that the Cybertruck’s website says about it is “sold and installed separately,” but neither it or Morrill confirmed a date for its availability.
In the same thread, Morrill also addressed the issue of towing mirrors, which the Cybertruck is not offered with.
“The mirrors are designed to be easily removed/replaced. I think we will see tow mirror 3rd party options soon,” he said.
Along with the reflective mirrors that are required by federal vehicle manufacturing rules, the Cybertruck also has sideview cameras that display on its central infotainment system screen. Many owners in states where it is allowed have already been removing their mirrors and relying on the video feed.
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