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The Tesla Cybertruck was never just a vehicle. It was a provocation to traditional design, conventional engineering, and even the very concept of the pickup truck. Stainless steel skin, polygonal madness, bulletproof glass (that wasn’t), and the promise of more range than a Rivian on Red Bull.
It was a rolling sculpture meant to redefine what Americans thought was possible in an EV.
Tesla Axes Cybertruck Range Extender
But now, that promise has lost a major pillar. Quietly, and without ceremony, Tesla has canceled the one thing that made the Cybertruck a viable long-haul contender, the Range Extender.
“We are no longer planning to sell the Range Extender for Cybertruck.”
Tesla said in an email,
“As a result, we will be refunding your deposit in full.”
For early adopters, that translated into real frustration, bordering on betrayal.
One Facebook user, Mitch Sargent, went to Facebook to say:
“I wouldn’t have bought this truck if I had known they’d never offer this.”
And who could blame him? The Range Extender wasn’t some nice-to-have luxury, it was an answer to real limitations in the EV world. Tesla billed the extender as a modular battery pack that could add 100 to 130 miles of range, bolted into the truck bed for big trips, especially in cold weather or towing scenarios where electric range nosedives.
Cybertruck Range Extender: $16K Removed Accessory
- Tesla initially introduced the range extender as a $16,000 add-on to bridge the gap between the Cybertruck’s promised 500-mile range and its actual performance. This accessory, essentially a secondary battery pack, was designed to boost the vehicle’s range by approximately 120 miles. However, over time, the estimated range benefit was reduced to 445 miles, and the product faced multiple delays before being quietly removed from Tesla’s offerings.
- The range extender’s design required it to occupy about one-third of the Cybertruck’s bed space, a significant compromise for users relying on cargo capacity. This trade-off between extended range and utility led to discussions among potential buyers about the practicality of the add-on.
- The official cancellation of the range extender, accompanied by refunds of the $2,000 deposits to customers, highlights Tesla’s ongoing challenges in meeting its initial promises for the Cybertruck. The vehicle’s production version fell short in both range and pricing compared to early projections, contributing to customer dissatisfaction and lower-than-expected sales figures.
Without it, many Cybertruck owners are left with a six-figure monument to unmet expectations. And social media is responding in kind. Redditors wasted no time piling on. One user, Retrrad, offered a scathing punchline:
“Are we sure the ‘Range Extender’ wasn’t just an extension cord in a fancy box?”
Of course, the backlash wasn’t just comedic. Many took to forums to articulate the practical impact, but also to explore how much they like the Cybertruck.
User olso4051 explained the situation:
“Very disappointed, I may be less disappointed if they gave us free supercharging. My reason for getting it was road trips in winter, if charging was free, then I’m more willing to pay for extra time charging.”
Infrastructure gaps are real. And owners were relying on Tesla to deliver what was promised, not vanish those promises without a whimper.
It would be tempting to dismiss this as just another example of the messy, iterative process of innovation. But Tesla doesn’t sell itself as experimental. It sells confidence, clarity, and capability. And when that facade cracks, the consequences ripple beyond the immediate product. One Facebook commenter, Jeffrey Edginton, pointed to legal action:
“You can jump on the class action.”
Another, James Moseley, suggested jumping ship altogether,
“If you’re wanting a higher range, grab yourself a 24 Silverado EV RST, they’re getting 460–480 miles per charge.”
When longtime Tesla fans start recommending GM products, you know something’s gone off the rails.
All of this calls into question what the Cybertruck really is… a revolution, or a mirage. It’s still fun, an absurd, almost militarized take on what a truck can be. It looks like a prop from a dystopian sci-fi set and drives like a concept sketch come to life. It turns heads and picks fights in parking lots.
Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast Explored: 845 HP, 0-60 mph in 2.6 Secs & 11,000 lb Towing
- The Cyberbeast boasts a tri-motor all-wheel-drive system delivering a staggering 845 horsepower. This power enables the hefty electric pickup to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds, rivaling the performance of some sports cars.
- Measuring 223.7 inches in length, 86.6 inches in width (excluding mirrors), and 70.5 inches in height, the Cyberbeast presents a formidable presence on the road. Its adaptive air suspension allows for a ground clearance ranging from 5.0 to 17.4 inches, enhancing its off-road capabilities.
- With a towing capacity of up to 11,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 2,500 pounds, the Cyberbeast is not just about speed, it’s built for heavy-duty tasks. Its cargo bed offers a volume of 67 cubic feet, expandable to 120.9 cubic feet, accommodating a wide range of hauling needs.
But for all its flair, it now stands as a critique not just of traditional automakers, but of Tesla itself. The brand that built its legacy on pushing boundaries now finds itself tripping over them.
According to The Verge, Tesla delivered only around 50,000 Cybertrucks in 2024, against claims of over a million reservations. Those are not figures of a cultural tidal wave; they’re the stats of a misfire. And when combined with underwhelming range tests and a growing list of unfulfilled features, the narrative begins to shift. The Cybertruck may not be the future of trucks, it may be the cautionary tale of what happens when style outpaces substance.
Mirage or Modern Marvel After Range Extender U-Turn?
And so we’re left with a paradox. The Cybertruck remains a fascinating object, a piece of design that forces a conversation. But the conversation has changed. From “Is this the future?” to “Why didn’t they deliver?” From bulletproof dreams to recalled realities.
The Range Extender was a lifeline for people who bought into the full Cybertruck vision. Without it, what remains is a bold but compromised machine. Or, perhaps, the perfect symbol of modern America, ambitious, erratic, and forever chasing a promise that’s just over the horizon.
Do you think Tesla overpromised and ultimately underdelivered when it came time to launch the truck, or do you believe it lived up to the hype?
We’d love to hear your take. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Image Sources: Tesla Media Center
Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.
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Source: torquenews.com
