Could Solid-State Batteries Revolutionize Cybertruck Range Extenders?

[Urander]

With $QS up 77% since yesterday, it got me thinking about range extenders for the Cybertruck. Tesla’s discontinued range extender used 4680 cells to deliver 47-50 kWh in about 78 liters of space. Now, QuantumScape’s solid-state batteries, with around 1,000 Wh per liter, could fit the same 50 kWh in just 50 liters - or pack up to 78 kWh in that same 78-liter space.

That means about 56% more energy without taking up extra bed space. If this tech hits mass production at a reasonable cost, it could be a game changer for extending range without sacrificing cargo room. Would love to hear your thoughts!

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[mcm4ss]

YES. can be done. just has to be designed right. But batteries are stupid. As long as all the volts, watts, amps, ect are the same the battery will work.

 

[Beetlebug62]

Yeah, new battery tech takes time to ramp up into real-world production. I'm sure Tesla looks at everything.

 

[henchman24]

We're at least a decade away from solid state batteries being cost effective (if not longer). Even then, they will come in stages on mass production slowly changing over to solid state technology. In the meantime the density will continue to improve on current cell technologies. Silicon carbide anodes alone should easily add 15-20% more density to current 4680s when the production is ready (theoretical limits are around 40% increase). At 20%, that would improve that range extender pack to about 60kWh.

Though that isn't the real end game... 20% more on the whole pack is 147 kWh with only marginal impact to weight. That should push the CT over 400mi and is likely the main reason the range extender died. Not the best for early adopters and people banking on the range extender, but the late 26/early 27 refresh will likely have the NC30 cells and be pushing the range over 400. Which will drive sales from those who really want more range.

 

[HaulingAss]

Yeah, new battery tech takes time to ramp up into real-world production. I'm sure Tesla looks at everything.

You can bet Tesla is well appraised of every new battery development and technology!

Toyota had a solid state battery "breakthrough" in 2012 (I think). It was supposed to be ready for commercialization in two years. Every 3 or 4 years they do the same dog and pony show all over again, it's always "2 years from production". It's still not here! It's just hype.

Meanwhile Tesla stuck with incremental improvements of existing technologies and recently announced their cost to manufacture 4680 cells have fallen below the cost per kWh of cells purchased from suppliers. They are preparing to manufacture 4680 cells in ever increasing volumes and decreasing prices, which will do more to drive decarbonization than solid state cells will in the next 20 years.

Solid state cells are kind of the hydrogen car of the battery world, just another shiny thing dangling out there in the future so people don't have to act, they can wait for the "right" technology.

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