Noob questions about Cybertruck

OP
OP

BigJack86

Member
First Name
Jack
Joined
Jul 14, 2020
Threads
1
Messages
5
Reaction score
1
Location
Pittsburgh
Vehicles
Chevy Avalanche
Country flag
At $2.50 a gallon, you'd only have to get 25 miles per gallon to make $0.10 a mile for energy costs. Hmm... Our Prius gets 38 miles per gallon which is $0.035 per mile here at $1.75 per gallon.

For my wife's Model Y,
We pay $0.0936 per kWh during the Summer and we've averaged 277 W/mile (yeah, it's new and I just can't NOT get into the accelerator at least once a drive!)

So, broken down by the $ per mile price in Nebraska:

2013 F-350 Diesel: $.120/mile*
2010 Toyota Prius: $.035/mile**
2019 Tesla Model Y: $.026/mile***

*When you factor in the maintenance costs, the truck cost just over $0.515 per mile (I've tracked that expense for 7 years)
**The Prius has accumulated zero maintenance costs in the 7 months we've had it but is about due an oil change (which I'll do myself, most likely for about $25).
***During the Winter, energy cost drops the cost per mile down to $0.024 per mile
Sponsored

 
OP
OP

BigJack86

Member
First Name
Jack
Joined
Jul 14, 2020
Threads
1
Messages
5
Reaction score
1
Location
Pittsburgh
Vehicles
Chevy Avalanche
Country flag
I get about 12-13 mpg in my current ride so I'd definitely be saving money on that...
 

alan auerbach

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 15, 2020
Threads
16
Messages
554
Reaction score
446
Location
Waterloo, Ontario (West of Toronto)
Vehicles
'90 Isuzu PU (has to last until my CT arrives), '91 Grand Marquis, '02 Grand Cherokee (I'm so grand I can't stand it), e-bike.
Occupation
Retired prof.
Country flag
Fell in love with the Cybertruck since I first saw the reveal back in December and am really close to pulling the trigger but I have some nagging questions. If they have been answered before i apologize. Let me say that i would be ordering the base 40k model because I only commute about 200 miles a week and i see no need to humiliate sportscar owners. So here's the questions Thanks for your answers

1) How long do the batteries last on these vehicles? The sales guy at tesla said 300k miles plus but I don't really trust salespeople when they are talking about the products that they themselves are selling. I talked to GM about their hybrid batteries and they said they were only good for about 5 yrs from the time of manufacture.

2) If you need repairs where can you go to get them done? I have talked to friends in the auto repair industry that say that only Tesla dealerships will do repairs and that you could expect a 6 month wait to get your ride fixed. They did say, however that the Teslas were very well made.

3) When exactly will the CT be available to actually look at in person? Pictures are great, but actually being in the presence is alot better.

4) Finally being a first time EV buyer, how long does it take and what is the cost of charging a vehicle?

Thanks for your answers
1. Time will tell, but how long will an ICE engine last? (The first popular battery [sort-of] car was the Prius that came out a decade ago. Well, the first models are still going strong.)

2. Reports suggest that repairs can be short and sweet, like the owner who was told that Tesla had detected something that wasn't holding up, and they'd come to his house to replace it free. Or they can be horrendous, with long waits, high cost, and no loaner for a routine problem. But as the numbers increase, you can expect more of the first kind of experience.

4. The original estimate was the end of next year, and this seems to be holding.

5. Time? With a proper home connection and typical battery depletion, overnight should suffice. To near-fill a flat battery it could take days from solar panels or a regular household outlet, or under an hour from a Tesla charger. Cost? Depending on your rates for electricity and gas/diesel, figure one-quarter to half. But operating costs are more than fuel, and maintenance is near zero with Teslas. The exception is the rubber, which wears the same as in all vehicles, more if you exploit the Tesla's power. And you don't put cheapie replacements on Teslas.
 
Last edited:

ajdelange

Well-known member
First Name
A. J.
Joined
Dec 8, 2019
Threads
4
Messages
3,213
Reaction score
3,403
Location
Virginia/Quebec
Vehicles
Tesla X LR+, Lexus SUV, Toyota SR5, Toyota Landcruiser
Occupation
EE (Retired)
Country flag
The battery and drive train are warrented for 8 years or 150 miles (on the S and X - no guarantee that the same deal will apply to the CT). The general warranty is for four years or 50,000 miles. From this you can figure out that is things like the ecu with its 12 billion transistors that will fail on you rather than drive train component. These things can be an expensive proposition out of warranty.

There are plenty of service horror stories. Getting an appointment can be a problem but once you have one things generally go pretty smoothly at the Service Center. Of course how difficult things are depend on where your nearest SC is. In the winter my nearest one is 4 miles away. In the summer the nearest one is over 100 miles away. If your problem can be handled by Ranger service things are very convenient indeed. They come to you.

Most of the horror stories seem to involve waiting for replacement body panels so don't bend your car/truck!

Charging depends on how far you drive in a day. Most charging is replacement of the day's consumption. The CT is going to suck up about 450 Wh/mi so if you drive 100 mi per day you will need to replace 45 kWh each evening. A 120 V outlet can supply 1.296 kWh to the battery for each hour of charging and it would thus take 34.7 hours of charging from such an outlet to support 100 mi per day. A "wall charger" wired to a 60A circuit can deliver 10.37 kWh per hour to the battery and do the job in 4.3 hour (4:18 minutes). The most common Super Chargers deliver about 80 kW on average and thus can replace 100 miles worth of driving in 60*45/80 = 33.75 minutes. The V3 super chargers should be twice as fast and thus replace 100 miles in 17 minutes.

To find out the costs check your electric bill to see how much the utility charges per kWh and multiply by 45. Typical cost is about 13¢ so 100 miles will cost you $5.85 or 6¢/mile. At an SC cost per kWh is higher generally around 23¢/kWh.
 
Last edited:

MUSK007

Banned
Well-known member
Banned
First Name
Randy
Joined
Nov 19, 2019
Threads
5
Messages
148
Reaction score
184
Location
USA
Vehicles
2017 Model S - P100D
Occupation
Retired
Country flag
I pay .1169 PKH for juice 24-7

i don’t even think about it. I’m just glad I have forgotten where I used to have to stop to get gas and diesel.
 


Frank W

Well-known member
First Name
Frank
Joined
Dec 6, 2019
Threads
28
Messages
374
Reaction score
443
Location
White, Georgia
Vehicles
2007 Toyota Tacoma
Occupation
Retired Army 1975-1997
Country flag
Good information AJ, thanks for sharing it. I am looking forward to doing some traveling and these numbers sure look like it will be very reasonable to do so.
 

Owner13669

Well-known member
First Name
Steven
Joined
Apr 18, 2020
Threads
1
Messages
120
Reaction score
131
Location
NNY
Vehicles
Chevy Bolt
Occupation
Retired
Country flag
Fell in love with the Cybertruck since I first saw the reveal back in December and am really close to pulling the trigger but I have some nagging questions. If they have been answered before i apologize. Let me say that i would be ordering the base 40k model because I only commute about 200 miles a week and i see no need to humiliate sportscar owners. So here's the questions Thanks for your answers

1) How long do the batteries last on these vehicles? The sales guy at tesla said 300k miles plus but I don't really trust salespeople when they are talking about the products that they themselves are selling. I talked to GM about their hybrid batteries and they said they were only good for about 5 yrs from the time of manufacture.

2) If you need repairs where can you go to get them done? I have talked to friends in the auto repair industry that say that only Tesla dealerships will do repairs and that you could expect a 6 month wait to get your ride fixed. They did say, however that the Teslas were very well made.

3) When exactly will the CT be available to actually look at in person? Pictures are great, but actually being in the presence is alot better.

4) Finally being a first time EV buyer, how long does it take and what is the cost of charging a vehicle?

Thanks for your answers
“ I talked to GM about their hybrid batteries and they said they were only good for about 5 yrs from the time of manufacture.” Who told you that? Because that’s bullsquirt!
 

alan auerbach

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 15, 2020
Threads
16
Messages
554
Reaction score
446
Location
Waterloo, Ontario (West of Toronto)
Vehicles
'90 Isuzu PU (has to last until my CT arrives), '91 Grand Marquis, '02 Grand Cherokee (I'm so grand I can't stand it), e-bike.
Occupation
Retired prof.
Country flag
Jack: What does "I talked to someone at GM" mean? Dealership people have been known to discourage buying pure EVs (maybe the same with hybrids) because such vehicles need less of the high-profit service that dealers increasingly depend on, and their longevity reduces repeat business.
 

alan auerbach

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 15, 2020
Threads
16
Messages
554
Reaction score
446
Location
Waterloo, Ontario (West of Toronto)
Vehicles
'90 Isuzu PU (has to last until my CT arrives), '91 Grand Marquis, '02 Grand Cherokee (I'm so grand I can't stand it), e-bike.
Occupation
Retired prof.
Country flag
Fell in love with the Cybertruck since I first saw the reveal back in December and am really close to pulling the trigger but I have some nagging questions. If they have been answered before i apologize. Let me say that i would be ordering the base 40k model because I only commute about 200 miles a week and i see no need to humiliate sportscar owners. So here's the questions Thanks for your answers

1) How long do the batteries last on these vehicles? The sales guy at tesla said 300k miles plus but I don't really trust salespeople when they are talking about the products that they themselves are selling. I talked to GM about their hybrid batteries and they said they were only good for about 5 yrs from the time of manufacture.

2) If you need repairs where can you go to get them done? I have talked to friends in the auto repair industry that say that only Tesla dealerships will do repairs and that you could expect a 6 month wait to get your ride fixed. They did say, however that the Teslas were very well made.

3) When exactly will the CT be available to actually look at in person? Pictures are great, but actually being in the presence is alot better.

4) Finally being a first time EV buyer, how long does it take and what is the cost of charging a vehicle?

Thanks for your answers
My answers are likely full of duplications from the other ones. And more definitive answers will surface as delivery approaches.

1. Depends on the battery design, and how it's used, but not a likely concern here.

2. If Tesla decided to fill each market area before expanding the sales area, Tesla's repair provisions would take good care of the owners. But from the outset they will likely spread out thinly to so many other locations that you'd best pray you won't have problems needing a hands-on fix -- at least until their service catches up with their sales in your area.

3. Each arrival at each service center will have such demand that it may take a year of deliveries before demos are at hand.

4. Depends on what, where, and maybe what hour it's plugged into. You'll find more specific answers elsewhere on this site.
 

drscot

Banned
Well-known member
Banned
First Name
Martin
Joined
Oct 25, 2020
Threads
5
Messages
279
Reaction score
201
Location
Alma, AR
Vehicles
Cybertruck
Occupation
Retired physician
Country flag
Fell in love with the Cybertruck since I first saw the reveal back in December and am really close to pulling the trigger but I have some nagging questions. If they have been answered before i apologize. Let me say that i would be ordering the base 40k model because I only commute about 200 miles a week and i see no need to humiliate sportscar owners. So here's the questions Thanks for your answers

1) How long do the batteries last on these vehicles? The sales guy at tesla said 300k miles plus but I don't really trust salespeople when they are talking about the products that they themselves are selling. I talked to GM about their hybrid batteries and they said they were only good for about 5 yrs from the time of manufacture.

2) If you need repairs where can you go to get them done? I have talked to friends in the auto repair industry that say that only Tesla dealerships will do repairs and that you could expect a 6 month wait to get your ride fixed. They did say, however that the Teslas were very well made.

3) When exactly will the CT be available to actually look at in person? Pictures are great, but actually being in the presence is alot better.

4) Finally being a first time EV buyer, how long does it take and what is the cost of charging a vehicle?

Thanks for your answers
I'll take a stab at these: the long and short of battery life? It depends on how you take care of it. Keep the charge between 20% and 80% for optimal life. There is talk about the new batteries being million mile batteries or more, and the CT being a 20-30 year vehicle. It will be the last vehicle I ever buy; well, maybe not. I'm pretty stubborn.
#2 Yes, get your Tesla fixed at either Kansas City or Dallas if you live nearby. Avoid Mexico city. 6 months? Who knows. I'm keeping my 1993 Dodge ICE for back up. But yes, they have an excellent repair record having very little to go wrong with them. Tesla owners subscribe to the Alfred E. Neuman school of thought, namely "What, me worry?"
#3. The CT is already available for you to see live and close up. Unfortunately, you missed it. There was a show somewhere in California that was published all over the podcasts. I suggest you tune in and see if you can catch the next one. There is also one in a parking garage mostly covered with a tarp somewhere but I can't tell you exactly where it is. They would have to kill you if I did...... or me.
#4. Charging a vehicle? You didn't specify which vehicle or charging where. At home on 110v, 220v, or at a Super Charger, and if charging to full capacity (which takes longer) or just to the 80% "sweet spot". I'll venture that regardless, it takes longer to charge than an internal combustion engine to refuel and costs significantly less. If you charge from a solar array at home during the right time of day it should be free.
Ask me anything you want to know. I can tell you what shape the CT tires will be even, and how many wheels there will be except for the answer about a spare. That remains a mystery! The final version will be out "sometime soon" according to Elon. I can promise you that. If you want one, you had best order it yesterday because the longer you wait the longer it will take. I ordered mine 25 November 2019 and am projected to take delivery sometime in 2023, so if you don't want to be pushing up daisies when yours is ready, you had best get busy.
 


Jhodgesatmb

Well-known member
First Name
Jack
Joined
Dec 1, 2019
Threads
63
Messages
4,905
Reaction score
7,088
Location
San Francisco Bay area
Website
www.arbor-studios.com
Vehicles
Tesla Model Y LR, Tesla Model 3 LR
Occupation
Retired AI researcher
Country flag
I'll take a stab at these: the long and short of battery life? It depends on how you take care of it. Keep the charge between 20% and 80% for optimal life. There is talk about the new batteries being million mile batteries or more, and the CT being a 20-30 year vehicle. It will be the last vehicle I ever buy; well, maybe not. I'm pretty stubborn.
#2 Yes, get your Tesla fixed at either Kansas City or Dallas if you live nearby. Avoid Mexico city. 6 months? Who knows. I'm keeping my 1993 Dodge ICE for back up. But yes, they have an excellent repair record having very little to go wrong with them. Tesla owners subscribe to the Alfred E. Neuman school of thought, namely "What, me worry?"
#3. The CT is already available for you to see live and close up. Unfortunately, you missed it. There was a show somewhere in California that was published all over the podcasts. I suggest you tune in and see if you can catch the next one. There is also one in a parking garage mostly covered with a tarp somewhere but I can't tell you exactly where it is. They would have to kill you if I did...... or me.
#4. Charging a vehicle? You didn't specify which vehicle or charging where. At home on 110v, 220v, or at a Super Charger, and if charging to full capacity (which takes longer) or just to the 80% "sweet spot". I'll venture that regardless, it takes longer to charge than an internal combustion engine to refuel and costs significantly less. If you charge from a solar array at home during the right time of day it should be free.
Ask me anything you want to know. I can tell you what shape the CT tires will be even, and how many wheels there will be except for the answer about a spare. That remains a mystery! The final version will be out "sometime soon" according to Elon. I can promise you that. If you want one, you had best order it yesterday because the longer you wait the longer it will take. I ordered mine 25 November 2019 and am projected to take delivery sometime in 2023, so if you don't want to be pushing up daisies when yours is ready, you had best get busy.
#1 response. You are talking about current batteries and not 4680 cells. We do not know for the latter and it varies based on cell chemistry for the former. Short answer, no one knows.
#2 response. Tesla has mobile service to many locations and the number and location of service centers is changing all the time. Keep in mind that electric vehicles require very little maintenance.
#3 response. The OP is clearly referring to a showroom and not a museum or chance viewing. Short answer is you cannot see one in a showroom until probsbly after the first wave of production.
#4 response. Yes, it depends on the battery SOC and current being used, temperature, cell chemistry, etc. A level 2 charger at 11 KwH will be very different from 150KwH, 250KwH, 300KwH, etc. Short answer, it hasn't been made available yet.
 

PointHope

Well-known member
First Name
Axle
Joined
Sep 16, 2021
Threads
7
Messages
113
Reaction score
119
Location
Thailand
Vehicles
2011 Isuzu D-Max, RN113415***,RN113855***
Occupation
Resource Management Specialist
Country flag
Fell in love with the Cybertruck since I first saw the reveal back in December and am really close to pulling the trigger but I have some nagging questions. If they have been answered before i apologize. Let me say that i would be ordering the base 40k model because I only commute about 200 miles a week and i see no need to humiliate sportscar owners. So here's the questions Thanks for your answers

1) How long do the batteries last on these vehicles? The sales guy at tesla said 300k miles plus but I don't really trust salespeople when they are talking about the products that they themselves are selling. I talked to GM about their hybrid batteries and they said they were only good for about 5 yrs from the time of manufacture.

2) If you need repairs where can you go to get them done? I have talked to friends in the auto repair industry that say that only Tesla dealerships will do repairs and that you could expect a 6 month wait to get your ride fixed. They did say, however that the Teslas were very well made.

3) When exactly will the CT be available to actually look at in person? Pictures are great, but actually being in the presence is alot better.

4) Finally being a first time EV buyer, how long does it take and what is the cost of charging a vehicle?

Thanks for your answers
Some say these rigs will be million mile kit. Many variables but many reused wrecked Tesla battery and motors in converted EVs.
Maintenance will be tyre changes, brakes, and a vac cleaner. Also depends on how you drive, with regen braking the brakes could last forever.
No paint maintenance.
Some tyre choices can last 50k miles +.
I plan on a solar roof option, reducing charging cost, and likely reducing battery stresses.
Likely the CT will last a very long time.
The electronics and FSD updates will be an open question.
Seems like Tesla is more on the ball in that department as well.
 

drscot

Banned
Well-known member
Banned
First Name
Martin
Joined
Oct 25, 2020
Threads
5
Messages
279
Reaction score
201
Location
Alma, AR
Vehicles
Cybertruck
Occupation
Retired physician
Country flag
#1 response. You are talking about current batteries and not 4680 cells. We do not know for the latter and it varies based on cell chemistry for the former. Short answer, no one knows.
#2 response. Tesla has mobile service to many locations and the number and location of service centers is changing all the time. Keep in mind that electric vehicles require very little maintenance.
#3 response. The OP is clearly referring to a showroom and not a museum or chance viewing. Short answer is you cannot see one in a showroom until probsbly after the first wave of production.
#4 response. Yes, it depends on the battery SOC and current being used, temperature, cell chemistry, etc. A level 2 charger at 11 KwH will be very different from 150KwH, 250KwH, 300KwH, etc. Short answer, it hasn't been made available yet.
#1. Yes, of course, but given the "month or so", who knows if the 4680 cells will be a reality, therefore I answered based upon the reality of today.
#2. Yes, there is mobile service, but not all problems are amenable to mobile service technicians. I was looking at a used "S" that was being given a thorough going over at the KC facility by the selling used car dealer (really an outstanding person) and it needed a frodomometer (or at least one of them) replaced (not that it was bad yet, but might go bad in the future) but unfortunately, the parts wouldn't be available until about 6 weeks hence, or whenever the slow boat from Chyna arrived.
#3. He asked when could one be seen in person, not making reference to a Showroom or anything else. He might luck out and see a stolen prototype whiz by in Mexico City if he's lucky!
 

ajdelange

Well-known member
First Name
A. J.
Joined
Dec 8, 2019
Threads
4
Messages
3,213
Reaction score
3,403
Location
Virginia/Quebec
Vehicles
Tesla X LR+, Lexus SUV, Toyota SR5, Toyota Landcruiser
Occupation
EE (Retired)
Country flag
I've read Tolkien more than once over the past 50 years or so but damned if I know what a Frodomometer is beyond that there are 2 of them on an S. Does the X have them? What do they do? Point the way to Mordor?
Sponsored

 
 




Top