Minimum Range YOU REQUIRE to go through with Cybertruck purchase

[Rutrow]

Is the Cybertruck going to be a great vehicle? Most likely, but I wouldn't buy one to tow an Airstream. I'd buy an ICE or Diesel F250 or GMC 2500.

But I'll never buy another ICE vehicle. I'm EV RVing with an "early adopter" mind set. I'll be happy stopping often, driving slower, and downsizing to achieve my goal. 175 miles will get me between all but the most widely spaced SuperChargers. Those holes will be destinations for me. That's not for all RVers, but those who brag about covering 800 miles in a day, or thousands in a week baffle me. What's your hurry? Is this a job for you?

Sponsored

 

[intimidator]

But I'll never buy another ICE vehicle. I'm EV RVing with an "early adopter" mind set. I'll be happy stopping often, driving slower, and downsizing to achieve my goal. 175 miles will get me between all but the most widely spaced SuperChargers. Those holes will be destinations for me. That's not for all RVers, but those who brag about covering 800 miles in a day, or thousands in a week baffle me. What's your hurry? Is this a job for you?

I will say driving a TESLA will make it a lot better to tow/travel than a Ford LIghtning because of the charging network. (until next year when Tesla will open some for other brands to use).

Another thing to consider, and we know nothing about, is the charging speed/curve of the CT. If it charges quickly, having to stop more often is not a huge hassle.

Lastly, I don't know of any pull through charging locations, so that would really be an issue traveling with a trailer. I would not like having to disconnect and drop the trailer, in order to pull in somewhere to charge.

 

[Gogster2k]

You don't need SuperChargers at your destination, that's what Destination Chargers are for. Any place with 240v outlets will do (RV parks, campsites, etc.) For me, the destination is where I want to spend some time, not driving. Hiking, biking, museuming (is that a word?) If you look at DCFC holes on a map, it can look daunting, but if search for RV sites in those areas, range anxiety will subside.

RVers have the travel day rule of threes: Don't travel more than 300 miles, arrive before 3:00, and stay at least 3 days. 300 miles mean you only have to SuperCharge once (at your lunch stop) and staying 3 days gives you more than enough time to recharge before your next travel day.

That particular location doesn’t even have destination chargers in that area. This place is literally out in the middle of nowhere and you have to bring your own supplies, etc for an overnight stay. There is only porta potties there. That’s it. Other visitors drive in with their RVs. We usually don’t make any stops going there or heading back As we would be passing near Los Angeles and that’s a traffic nightmare, so we avoid taking any routes too close to L.A. Mẹ and my friends typically only stay for half a day there as we usually get there around 0800 in the morning and leave by 1400 latest.
My boys now own a M3 and a MY so we enjoy the EV experience and hopefully include the CT.

 

[Startreknerd]

yup. people forget that NCM chemistry has a usable range of about 60%. You don't want to go over 80% or below 20% often. 60% of 300 is 180 miles, and if you half that for efficiency ( spirited driving or cold weather) a 300 mile truck only has a realistic range of 90 miles. WITHOUT towing.

I drive below 20% but usually above 10% anyway. That's acceptable. It's recommended to have a DoD of no more than 90%. Who drives below 29 miles range on gas? And I charge to 90%. Regen is mostly at 100% still, unless really cold. (I might switch to 80% for winter just to get that reclaimed energy I would otherwise waste on a friction break.)

My range reduction after 123k miles after over five and a half years is 8.5% calculated. I'm being conservative and said 10%, but could be 6-7%.

90% of 90% of 450 is 364 and that is acceptable for my long trips.

 

[scottf200]

A lot of “sources” are saying 120kWh, 350 miles for the first cybertrucks.

If so that would be 342 Wh/mi, which is very efficient for a vehicle of Cybertruck size and weight.
- ÆCIII

Wh/mi values (purple) for other trucks from my estimates:

 

[Startreknerd]

We need a term like "Rocket Equation" for EV battery sizes. When you throw more and more batteries in you get diminishing returns, eventually losing range for each extra battery you add.

Obviously 400+ miles is doable.

I'm not saying add 5 Cybertrucks together to try and get insane range. (With 5 frames and all the wheels to match.) I'm saying max out the battery compartment it was designed with. If competitors can do >400 miles Tesla can do it too.

 

[scottf200]

Lastly, I don't know of any pull through charging locations, so that would really be an issue traveling with a trailer. I would not like having to disconnect and drop the trailer, in order to pull in somewhere to charge.

They are just starting to install them but that is a lot of real estate.

It seems like the disconnecting would be much more tolerable with a electric hitch jack and an excellent backup / trailer camera. I think one version of Fords even backs up to the trailer automatically.

 

[Frank Mendez]

You don't need SuperChargers at your destination, that's what Destination Chargers are for. Any place with 240v outlets will do (RV parks, campsites, etc.) For me, the destination is where I want to spend some time, not driving. Hiking, biking, museuming (is that a word?) If you look at DCFC holes on a map, it can look daunting, but if search for RV sites in those areas, range anxiety will subside.

RVers have the travel day rule of threes: Don't travel more than 300 miles, arrive before 3:00, and stay at least 3 days. 300 miles mean you only have to SuperCharge once (at your lunch stop) and staying 3 days gives you more than enough time to recharge before your next travel day.

Most campsites other than those along populated routes don't have power. I ordered the tri motor for the 500 mile range to be able to take it to the hills to camp, not RV park.

 

[Dmcgee]

This is a BIG concern I have. I do like Jack's answer/caveats. The only addition I will add is these need to be "real world" miles not the typical "optimized scenario" miles we see.

I'm sure we'll get a good answer soon but I'm waiting for the TFL-Truck crew to do the Ike Gauntlet testing to see how it really performs under load.

 

[Zhe Wiz]

Based on the responses to this poll...I'm moving WAY up the list...there's hope for late 2024 after all.

Non EV owners typically WAY overestimate their required range. I know I did. Probably because EV's are "full" every morning, unlike ICE vehicles.

 

[AustroTom]

500+, 14K towing "as advertised at reveal"

 

[bwhntr78]

Non EV owners typically WAY overestimate their required range. I know I did. Probably because EV's are "full" every morning, unlike ICE vehicles.

....Or EV car owners like myself have a different use case for a truck (i.e. towing) that requires more range. If I was buying the CT to replace my model 3 or Y, 300 is fine. Honestly 250 is more than enough for the vast majority of my daily driving. But my hope is to replace both my model 3 AND my current Tundra, and to do that, I want something that can tow at least medium distances without having to spend half my time charging.

And before a bunch of people chime in with how short a supercharger stop is.... I KNOW how short a typical charging stop is IN A CAR. I've taken multiple 1,000+ mile road trips in both the 3 and Y.

A truck with worse efficiency and larger pack will already take longer to charge than my cars. Add the drastically reduced range between stops while pulling a trailer, and the time it will take to unhook and re-hook the trailer everywhere there isn't a pull-through (which is all but one charging location I have visited in over 5 years of traveling), and it just becomes an inconvenience that I'm not willing to deal with.

 

[CyberGus]

Add the drastically reduced range between stops while pulling a trailer, and the time it will take to unhook and re-hook the trailer everywhere there isn't a pull-through (which is all but one charging location I have visited in over 5 years of traveling), and it just becomes an inconvenience that I'm not willing to deal with.

Easy fix

 

[Gurule92]

I need 300+

Sponsored