Reviving the possibilities of onboard battery extender

[hemiarch]

Credit where credit is due, this link was shared with me by @CT_AZ_4x4 and I’ve been thinking about it all day. Neither of us know anything about it but it’s interesting nonetheless.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ev-c...content&utm_medium=g_mb_web&utm_campaign=copy

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[YDR37]

Credit where credit is due, this link was shared with me by @CT_AZ_4x4 and I’ve been thinking about it all day. Neither of us know anything about it but it’s interesting nonetheless.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ev-c...content&utm_medium=g_mb_web&utm_campaign=copy

Not entirely clear to me to what they're doing, but I hope they succeed. They have posted similar info on Facebook. The "EV Clinic" appears to based in Zagreb, Croatia; however I did not see any further info about this project on their website.

Zagreb is also home to an official Tesla Store and Service Center (the only one in Croatia).

 

[dalton108]

Most of us are aware that the Cyber truck possibilities of getting a hundred mile or so extender battery from the factory ended quite a while ago. But with all these people making accessories is there a chance that someone might make such a thing since apparently the trucks were built with the ability to accept something like that. I know it's based on how many they might sell but I'd love to hear responses. If not how about lobbying Tesla to reconsider doing such a thing.

I’m aware of a guy who is noodling on it. I can’t say more. Fingers crossed he or someone can bring something to market. But, without a sufficiently large market to address for a reasonable ROI, expect to pay through the nose or see it never come to fruition.

I think a battery swap some years down the line is the only likely chance to get this thing the range it deserves. That, or ubiquitous charging everywhere.

I’m starting to think, however, that investment in that kind of infrastructure is not going to happen if battery/efficiency improves at pace it just becomes unnecessary (construction, maintenance in BFE, etc.).

I don’t think ANYBODY is going to put a charger in the middle of nowhere between Vegas and Ely anymore. Not sure why I ever did.

 

[HaulingAss]

Seems like this thread is getting a bit off-topic, but out of curiosity, what is your source for Q2 2025 China car sales data?

I believe it was a Dillion Loomis (Electrified) video from around July 19-21. It may have been Q2 data or first half of 2025 data. The Model Y has no close competition in China (or the globally). Gas or electric. The media doesn't tell you this because they are anti-American, anti-Tesla, anti-Elon. It's just sad how disconnected they have become from bringing us the real news.

 

[PungoteagueDave]

As I already mentioned, there is nothing wrong with cancelling a product before it reaches production ramp and refunding any deposits. And if people thought that Tesla was obligated to produce the range extender, no matter how the market changed, or what they learned about the true cost to release such a product, well, I would just suggest they must be a little green behind the ears. Common sense says their is no guarantee an announced product, will pan out. In fact, I cautioned against that possibility shortly after Tesla announced the concept and was actively taking deposits for reservations. If you read the reservation agreement, you will see the product was never guaranteed to be made available. The only remedy was a refund of the deposit money.

What do people not understand about this and why do they feel entitled to things the reservation deposit did not grant?

It wasn't just promised. It was announced as an actual fully-developed CT feature that was near production and was within a few months of delivery.

"There is nothing wrong with cancelling a product" - does not apply when an optional feature is marketed and presold as an inducement to purchase a product that incorporates that option. Further, Tesla has a LONG history of promising and delivering features that are announced and to be delivered at a later date - so CT purchasers have a reasonable expectation that the commitment would be met. This was a range commitment that induced skeptical buyers to pull the trigger, expecting to be able to tow 10,000-pound trailers a reasonable distance. That was a marketing element from which they cannot hide - more than a promise, a legal obligation. The reservation agreement, contrary to your assertion, had no escape language referencing refund of deposit - - none -- you are correct that Tesla did not commit to a specific time for delivery - but the agreement and written web marketing materials said it was expected to be delivered in 2005, later modified to second quarter 2005, before disappearing. I believe Tesla retains legal liability and could be required to repurchase CTs from those who intended to tow.

 

[PungoteagueDave]

Wait...you're not talking about the Chevy pickup that has lower sales than the Cybertruck and loses tens of thousands of dollars for every one sold, are you? You know, the Silverado that doesn't come with a tonneau cover, let alone one that opens and locks automatically?

I don't generally refer to products that sell in very low numbers (and for less than they cost to manufacture) as eating anyone's lunch! Why would they sell them for less money than they cost to make? Oh, because that's all truck buyers are willing to pay for them.

And why do most Silverado buyers buy the shorter range versions?

False. GM has positive sales margin on every EV they sell. Same for Ford. The divisional losses are solely due to accounting requirements related to R&D and intangibles write-offs.

 

[YDR37]

Not entirely clear to me to what they're doing, but I hope they succeed. They have posted similar info on Facebook. The "EV Clinic" appears to based in Zagreb, Croatia; however I did not see any further info about this project on their website.

Update: EV Clinic in Croatia now claims to have a prototype 17.1 kWh range extender that can be wired in parallel alongside the original battery in any EV:

... the first iteration was made to fit in the deep part of the Tesla Model S’ trunk, which means the car can retain most of its cargo capacity. The battery range extender has 17.1-kilowatt-hours of usable energy, courtesy of several brand-new Samsung SDI prismatic cells arranged in four modules.

The cage also has a dedicated battery management system (BMS), a pyro fuse sourced from the Tesla Model 3, a custom-made cooling plate, and a coolant pump sourced from the Tesla Model S. According to EV Clinic’s representative, the range extender will be wired in parallel with the car’s original battery via Rapid Mate connectors.

Because it’s wired in parallel, it helps reduce the system’s internal resistance, which leads to faster charging. The maximum power input might be the same, but the charging curve will be better, per EV Clinic. There’s also a dedicated diagnostics module and some software that goes along with it, making it easy for owners to keep an eye on the range extender’s status. What’s more, if anything were to go wrong, the add-on battery can disconnect itself from the high-voltage system.

 

[dalton108]

Update: EV Clinic in Croatia now claims to have a prototype 17.1 kWh range extender that can be wired in parallel alongside the original battery in any EV:

Yeah, I saw this yesterday on Björn’s channel and was going to post about it. Thank you for doing it.

 

[hemiarch]

Do you guys think Tesla would take a page out of the traditional tech playbook, pay them and assimilate the product?
Is it good enough for that?

 

[Jabman]

I think a proper cost/benefit analysis is necessary with these 3rd party options.

#1: is the cost for x amount of range financially prohibitive for most CT buyers?
#2: is the range expected (and then produced) worth said cost (if within reason)?
#3: is the integration of said 3rd party extender simple and without complicated install?
#4: does said 3rd party install void any warranty or foil with baked-in software?
#5: can we expect a company with such a niche product to survive, with support for said extender into the near to distant future?

 

[dalton108]

I think a proper cost/benefit analysis is necessary with these 3rd party options.

#1: is the cost for x amount of range financially prohibitive for most CT buyers?
#2: is the range expected (and then produced) worth said cost (if within reason)?
#3: is the integration of said 3rd party extender simple and without complicated install?
#4: does said 3rd party install void any warranty or foil with baked-in software?
#5: can we expect a company with such a niche product to survive, with support for said extender into the near to distant future?

With regard to number five I don’t think it’s that much of a niche. It’s not just for cybertrucks, they’re making it for any EV —they claim. We all have range anxiety to some degree, unless you’re driving one of those ugly ass Lucids! Then, I guess — congratulations? You can drive around FOREVER in your stupid looking car!

 

[Jabman]

With regard to number five I don’t think it’s that much of a niche it’s not just for cyber trucks they’re making it for any EV they claim we all have range anxiety to some degree unless you’re driving one of those ugly ass Lucids! Then I guess congratulations you can drive around forever in you’re stupid looking car.

Haha. Agree. It looks like a model S got smushed in a panini press
While I accept the pretext, a lot of EVs would not have the space to add a ‘range extender’ (Lucid included) without sufficient space. And even if they had the space, it would likely eliminate cargo capacity

 

[Pulaski]

Given the size it almost looks like 3 of those could fit in the beds storage trunk. Where's the "Buy Now" button??? Gotta get that range!

 

[shopaholic]

Do you guys think Tesla would take a page out of the traditional tech playbook, pay them and assimilate the product?
Is it good enough for that?

Not battery relayed, but during Joe Rogan interview, Elon said no to AMG/MB type relationship with 3rd party CT developers and Tesla is all software , FSD and robotics. He would leave the rest to 3rd parties.

 

[YDR37]

Do you guys think Tesla would take a page out of the traditional tech playbook, pay them and assimilate the product?
Is it good enough for that?

Who knows? At this point, it's just an untested prototype in Eastern Europe in that may or may not ever be commercially viable, and that may or may not meet US safety standards.

Even if it does work well, a 17.1 kWh battery is probably not big enough to make sense for the Cybertruck. That's probably about one-third the capacity of Tesla's canceled range extender, which was supposed to deliver about 100 extra miles. So for a CT, you could potentially end up spending thousands of dollars on the battery and the installation, and then end up with just 30-35 miles of extra range.

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