Tesla initially promised impressive range numbers of more than 500 miles for the Cybertruck, but the automaker recently decided to kill off the range-extending battery it needed to deliver those numbers.
The Tesla range extender cost $16,000 and required a large bed-mounted pack that absorbed a third of the available space. Despite those inconveniences, the component promised to extend the range to more than 500 miles, but it experienced delays before ultimately being canceled. The interesting thing about Tesla’s range extender is that it was not a gas engine like the systems used in the upcoming Ramcharger and Scout vehicles. Instead, it was a large battery pack, but we never learned how difficult it would be to install or how much it weighed.
Electrek obtained an email sent to people who reserved the range extender, which said, “We are no longer planning to sell the Range Extender for Cybertruck. As a result, we will be refunding your deposit in full. The amount will be returned to the original payment method used for the transaction.” The move isn’t that surprising after Tesla removed the range extender from its online ordering pages last month.
The Cybertruck hasn’t yet delivered on the 500-mile promise, with or without a range extender. The current Long Range model tops out at around 350 miles, while others cost more and fall short of that number.
[Images: Tesla]
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