Tesla invents a range extender that operates without gasoline for its cybertruck

During its presentation in 2019, Tesla announced that its Cybertruck could cover 500 miles (805 km) on a single charge. but the actual range of the electric pickup, unveiled, falls short. However, a small note in the specifications caught our attention: a "range extender" would indeed be available.

Between theory and practice, there can be a world of difference. Elon Musk had announced that the electric pickup would be available for purchase in 2021 for $39,900.

However, the first customers who received their Cybertrucks on November 30, 2023, observed that the figures had changed, with the base price now at $79,990, and the range reduced to a maximum of 340 miles (550 km).

It seems that a mysterious "range extender" suddenly appears in the summary sheet, potentially extending the range to 470 miles (756 km) — still not reaching the initial target, but getting closer. Today, we know more about this peculiar option.

The term "range extender" generally refers to an internal combustion engine used as a generator to power the battery — with no mechanical connection to the wheels. This is, for example, what happened with the BMW i3 in its REx version.

Rest assured, the internal combustion engine is still far from arriving in a Tesla. When questioned on X (formerly Twitter) after the presentation, Elon Musk provided the first details: it is an additional battery pack to be installed in the bed of the Cybertruck, following a "plug and play" principle.

Certainly, the technical specifications of the Cybertruck state that this pack can increase the range by 120 miles (200 kilometers), but its capacity remains unknown — just like that of the main battery, by the way.

Fortunately, some international media outlets were able to get behind the wheel of the Tesla pickup in parallel with the first deliveries, and journalists asked the right questions. It's Top Gear that brings us the news: according to the English magazine, the Cybertruck carries a 123 kWh battery, while the range extender would have a capacity of 50 kWh.

As for the price, it is discovered by inspecting the source code of the Tesla website to find a cost: it would be $16,000, approximately €14,700. A substantial amount that may give one pause — especially when considering that this extender takes up a third of the bed once installed, a significant reduction in cargo capacity.

Moreover, a larger battery logically requires more materials for its construction. These materials have a real ecological and human cost, not to mention that they may run out much faster than one might think...

Reducing the size of batteries is, in fact, a focus of development for many manufacturers to reduce the costs of their upcoming electric vehicles.