Range Extender Battery removed from Cybertruck online configurator

[mongo]

FYI, there are LITERAL connections for the extended battery in the Cybertruck already. Monroe found them when they first tore it down. Now plans can change, but the intention was always there...

Not so, Munro wasn't sure what the extra connections were for. Caresoft said the second rear motor connector for Beast was for the extender.

Tesla service manual called out the unused two pin populated/ four location connector was for inductive charger and later removed that wording.


Although it might work for the extender, depending on current rating.

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[scottf200]

If paralleling a 50kWh pack with a 123kWh pack of the same chemistry and series count, the extender only needs to keep its cells in relative balance. The wiring from main pack to extender forces the two to be at the same total voltage.

So would the 50 kWh pack then just be forced to follow the 123 kWh packs degradation characteristics?

• Faster Voltage Drop Under Load: As a battery degrades, its internal resistance typically increases. This means that when the battery is discharging (powering the motor), the voltage will tend to drop more quickly compared to a new battery for the same amount of current drawn.
• Reaching Minimum Voltage Sooner: Because a degraded battery has less capacity, it will reach its lower voltage cut-off (empty state) sooner than a new battery, even if the voltage at that point is still close to the original minimum (e.g., 2.8V).

 

[mongo]

So would the 50 kWh pack then just be forced to follow the 123 kWh packs degradation characteristics?

• Faster Voltage Drop Under Load: As a battery degrades, its internal resistance typically increases. This means that when the battery is discharging (powering the motor), the voltage will tend to drop more quickly compared to a new battery for the same amount of current drawn.
• Reaching Minimum Voltage Sooner: Because a degraded battery has less capacity, it will reach its lower voltage cut-off (empty state) sooner than a new battery, even if the voltage at that point is still close to the original minimum (e.g., 2.8V).

If connected in parallel, both will hit 2.8V at the same time, and neither can drop voltage faster than the other. For each pack, consider the power draw or energy change that results from the voltage shift. The ratio of energy pulled from each pack will be determined by their relative capacities.

For illustration: with a 50kWh extender, if the main pack drops to 100kWh, then it would be 2/3 main, 1/3 extender. If main pack were 50kWh, then 1/2:1/2. In the extreme, if the main pack were heavily degraded, the combined output could end up being limited by what the extender's maximum allowable output is. However, that's way past the point of a warranty main pack replacement.

 

[Virtualarry]

I am aware of the deposit list. The take rate was apparently quite low according to several sources. This may be the reason it is probably going away, along with the dismal overall CT sales pace - so the extender becomes a niche within a niche - plus the technical hurdles are apparently way bigger than anticipated - battery compatibility & leveling issues, among many others. Interesting analysis here by the out-of-spec guys on exactly this topic. They come down on both sides of teh question, but conclude it is a bad idea in any case - worth listening to the details.

You comment here is literally hilarious - you claim to have been around since 2013, yet still say "Regarding Engineering cooling system for the accessory. You don't engineer a major part of a product after it is publicly available for pre order.
Tesla is not Nikola Corporation."

Teh salesperson insistence that I not check the range extender pre-order box (for which I was fully prepared to plop down $2k) was presented as corporate guidance, not the typical Tesla sales advisor being in the dark. It was quite convincing as presaging it being withdrawn soon, which it was in the next week. So evidently both accurate and Tesla avoiding a sales deferral liability.

Almost every product Tesla has ever released hasn't been fully engineered upon initial delivery and has required substantial development and modification for at least the first year, and many have never been solved (see MX front axle shafts, which are on their fourth part number and still fail within 25k miles today - Tesla has thrown in the towel and accrues the warranty cost separately for continual MX axle replacements). And don't even get started with announced software announced that was either never delivered or never met its stated characteristics at order time. It took 15 months for my '13 P85D (my second new Tesla) to get the promised AP, and it was worse than a drunk teenager - and ultimately had to be abandoned because of incompatible hardware updates - Tesla offered me a mea cupla upgrade into my first MX as a result of that unmet promise. Maybe you are joking but it doesn't come through the internet as such?

That video is great.

When the range extender was removed from the site I like many others briefly hoped and theorized for a battery swap sometime in the future instead of the extender. Much simpler than an accessory in the bed. The dream to just give us a longer range pack no less than 440 miles.
Unfortunately range-tech has not historically increased that much in just a year for Tesla.
I still wish.

These debates are always fun.
So many have information. Even if you have a "source" and the ultimate outcome is not what you were told. (Tesla Sales people, corporate etc.)

4 things can be true at the same time within the same company and all evolving just this year:
1: They have developed the range extender, they have tested it ad nauseam like all their products before release.
2: They are continuing to develop better battery tech - dry cathode tech
3: They are or were battery production constrained
4: New supercharger sites-tech has not been implemented-installed fast enough for long range towing & range extender to be fully utilized yet.


Will dry cathode reported implementation this summer only provide for a less expensive pack or will it also increase energy density-range enough to eliminate the need for a range extender.
It is possible that 2 different approaches are converging and the definition of "extend range" is being debated within Tesla.

What are the other options for the future and how long can Tesla hold off before making a decision?

Long Range Cybertruck - 362 miles

Range Extender 440+ is it practical anymore at what point do they initiate refund of deposit?

Dreaming years away?
Beast + Pack 415
Dual + Pack 445

 

[SCTesla]

Will dry cathode reported implementation this summer only provide for a less expensive pack or will it also increase energy density-range enough to eliminate the need for a range extender.
It is possible that 2 different approaches are converging and the definition of "extend range" is being debated within Tesla.

No.

Tesla has already told us that the dry cathode will be a cost saving measure for Tesla. It will not increase range by much...4% is the forecasted potential, but also it could be less like the original and now the CT 2680, regardless not enough to eliminate the need for a range extender.

 

[Virtualarry]

No.

Tesla has already told us that the dry cathode will be a cost saving measure for Tesla. It will not increase range by much...4% is the forecasted potential, but also it could be less like the original and now the CT 2680, regardless not enough to eliminate the need for a range extender.

Great… 4% increase at most. Not enough to eliminate need for range extender.

Then we are looking at
Long Range 362 as announced.

Range Extender
As soon as they determine final specs.
Highly likely for specs to change again.

Range Extender to be or not to be?

Last updates mid 2025.
Time will tell ?

 

[Outdoors]

I doubt a battery swap as some have mentioned. Tesla has in the past said buy a new Tesla. Yes some range was unlocked in times. This is a actual bolt on. So who knows.

Price is close to used prices of other EV's including older Tesla's.

Cybercab coming in at 30k.

Would like for that price a little love from Tesla in terms of the Range Extender. Include free supercharging for FS orderers.

 

[Alex509]

Hi everyone! We are working on removable power bank for cybertruck for camping sites / last mile recharge option with supply 220vac max 5kw to mobile connector. The battery configuration either 14 kwh (which can be handled without crane tools by 2 men) either 28 kwh - need a portable gooseneck crane for lifting into the truck bed. Composed with 12kw peak / 5200 w continious output inverter and charger.
Device in a development phase, all components have been tested and shown a good performance. We plan to accomplish the fully working prototype within a month. All drawings and details of will be available upon completion.
A picture illustrated the frame position in the truck bed.

With kind regards from UAE.
Alex.

 

[hemiarch]

Hi everyone! We are working on removable power bank for cybertruck for camping sites / last mile recharge option with supply 220vac max 5kw to mobile connector. The battery configuration either 14 kwh (which can be handled without crane tools by 2 men) either 28 kwh - need a portable gooseneck crane for lifting into the truck bed. Composed with 12kw peak / 5200 w continious output inverter and charger.
Device in a development phase, all components have been tested and shown a good performance. We plan to accomplish the fully working prototype within a month. All drawings and details of will be available upon completion.
A picture illustrated the frame position in the truck bed.

With kind regards from UAE.
Alex.

Include a substantial solar input for portable panels like on similarly output capable consumer power stations and you will definitely get my money.
A range extender is one thing, but a device that can theoretically help you achieve infinite range over time and make the car unstrandable is a whole different animal.

 

[Gigahorse]

I am aware of the deposit list. The take rate was apparently quite low according to several sources. This may be the reason it is probably going away, along with the dismal overall CT sales pace - so the extender becomes a niche within a niche - plus the technical hurdles are apparently way bigger than anticipated - battery compatibility & leveling issues, among many others. Interesting analysis here by the out-of-spec guys on exactly this topic. They come down on both sides of teh question, but conclude it is a bad idea in any case - worth listening to the details.

You comment here is literally hilarious - you claim to have been around since 2013, yet still say "Regarding Engineering cooling system for the accessory. You don't engineer a major part of a product after it is publicly available for pre order.
Tesla is not Nikola Corporation."

Teh salesperson insistence that I not check the range extender pre-order box (for which I was fully prepared to plop down $2k) was presented as corporate guidance, not the typical Tesla sales advisor being in the dark. It was quite convincing as presaging it being withdrawn soon, which it was in the next week. So evidently both accurate and Tesla avoiding a sales deferral liability.

Almost every product Tesla has ever released hasn't been fully engineered upon initial delivery and has required substantial development and modification for at least the first year, and many have never been solved (see MX front axle shafts, which are on their fourth part number and still fail within 25k miles today - Tesla has thrown in the towel and accrues the warranty cost separately for continual MX axle replacements). And don't even get started with announced software announced that was either never delivered or never met its stated characteristics at order time. It took 15 months for my '13 P85D (my second new Tesla) to get the promised AP, and it was worse than a drunk teenager - and ultimately had to be abandoned because of incompatible hardware updates - Tesla offered me a mea cupla upgrade into my first MX as a result of that unmet promise. Maybe you are joking but it doesn't come through the internet as such?

The most depressing podcast on the CT I have seen, worse than the hate videos because all of it is true.

You could ALMOST get away without the range extender if the curve was not a spike and we could see that 500kw that Tesla said was coming..........6 months ago.

 

[Alex509]

Include a substantial solar input for portable panels like on similarly output capable consumer power stations and you will definitely get my money.
A range extender is one thing, but a device that can theoretically help you achieve infinite range over time and make the car unstrandable is a whole different animal.

Thank you for your feedback. We will certainly study that scenario as well. Solar charging of our power bank with a pile of portable semiflex panels is a considerable option, mppt controllers are commercially available and there is a space in the box to fit it, although it will be a bit tight. Our setup now has 96v liion battery module, will check the mppt and test it as well.

With kind regards,
Alex

 

[Bridgeboy69]

Can anyone summarize the state of things with the range extender or other after-market options ?. I just don't have the time to read through the history of this 9-page thread...

Thank you in advance...
?

 

[mongo]

Can anyone summarize the state of things with the range extender or other after-market options ?. I just don't have the time to read through the history of this 9-page thread...

Thank you in advance...
?

Tl;dr: the thread title

 

[Bridgeboy69]

Tl;dr: the thread title

OK, so it just doesn't exist? And at this time, apparently never will? That is the answer?

 

[mongo]

OK, so it just doesn't exist? And at this time, apparently never will? That is the answer?

It was removed from the configurator. That's all we know. Everything else is supposition.

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