Range Extender - Any Updates? (MAR 2025)

[Mikec3399]

I was advised by a Tesla sale rep at the Aventura location two weeks ago to not order and make the $2,000 deposit for range extender. She indicated skepticism that it will be available within the next few months. I took delivery soon afterwards and drove to Virginia, where I hooked up a 5,000-lb box trailer and towed it 200 miles to my house in Maryland. It required one charge halfway along, towed great, but definitely will need the extender to pull our 9,300-pound World Cat trailer rig between Florida and Maryland twice per year.

If you get 50 to 75 miles out the range extender I’ll be very very surprised

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[Dahongfei]

ask for the light bar in the app at the service center, make the appointment for 5-6 weeks out, make a list of all other repairs including the extra slant in the toneau cover, this will give them ample time to get it in and your name will be on the parts list. its worked for everyone i spoke with

Tried already, twice and no success.

 

[Mikec3399]

Tried already, twice and no success.

what state do you live in? try another service center, its worth the trip

 

[Mikec3399]

what state do you live in? try another service center, its worth the trip

i live in Connecticut, however, i was not getting anywhere with the one and only service center in the entire state of CT, I made an appointment in Alphretta GA for 5 weeks out, the took great care of me.

 

[Jhodgesatmb]

Tesla is super close to a major breakthrough with dry cathode (at mass scale) that should land them ~20 percent or more energy density. They are definitely waiting for that to be a thing before deploying a range extender.

If they ever do. And they probably won't, to be honest.

I don’t care too much for people that say things like “they are definitely waiting…” without providing any information about where that conviction was based on. If it is an opinion I am fine with that, but then the conviction should be reworded.

I guess that there is more, such as “…is super close to a major breakthrough …”. One could say that Tesla was super close when they announced all this techno Battery Day what, 3 years ago? I suspect that range would be more impacted by the anode and cathode chemistry than by the dry process, but if you have evidence to the contrary, and of the “super closeness”, then fine.

 

[bg002h]

They can’t even get me my lightbar and I picked up my beast last June lol

Same. I still have the other adhesive defect recall to do, but I won’t drive 3 hrs for one recall and no light bar.

 

[scottf200]

Maybe, but as discussed in the past, will likely be less range to begin. We have no idea when Tesla will be starting to extend range witg what was promised on battery day.

We do know that Elon doesn't believe the fleet needs additional range.

Other companies and countries are charging faster, so Tesla has a serious need to get beyond the status quo of how stagnant their battery advancements have been for a few years now. Maybe in the USA they can do the same thing as they have but they can't in other countries like China that has much larger sales potential than other countries.

 

[VAF84]

Other companies and countries are charging faster, so Tesla has a serious need to get beyond the status quo of how stagnant their battery advancements have been for a few years now. Maybe in the USA they can do the same thing as they have but they can't in other countries like China that has much larger sales potential than other countries.

That's true. Kyle's Out of Spec trip to China was pretty eye opening as to what's out there and could one day be incorporated. Legacy automakers haven't been motivated enough to push forward though, and makes Tesla look revolutionary here in the states.

 

[HaulingAss]

I guess that there is more, such as “…is super close to a major breakthrough …”. One could say that Tesla was super close when they announced all this techno Battery Day what, 3 years ago? I suspect that range would be more impacted by the anode and cathode chemistry than by the dry process, but if you have evidence to the contrary, and of the “super closeness”, then fine.

How short our memories are.

The 4680 cell development program was announced at Battery Day, 4 1/2 years ago. The planned 4680 battery improvements they detailed had a staged 6-year development timeline. Tesla is right on track.

The funny thing is, at the time, all the Tesla naysayers were saying Tesla was announcing outdated technology because absolutely incredible solid-state batteries were just around the corner, Tesla was screwed. The Tesla naysayers said within 2 years we would have EVs with 600 miles range that could charge in 5 minutes and that the 4680 batteries would be obsolete. I said cost competitive solid state batteries with specs like that were nowhere to be seen. That narrative was simply a distraction created by companies who had no battery technology to speak of, to take the shine off Tesla.

So, where are these inexpensive 600-mile solid-state batteries that charge in 5 minutes and last nearly forever? Still nowhere to be seen. In hindsight, even the haters can see it was all hype and no substance, just manufactured bullshit to take away from the narrative that Tesla was leading the EV revolution.

GM, Ford, Audi, Porsche, BMW, and VW were also supposed to be pumping out so many high-quality, high-volume, low cost EVs by now that Tesla would be bankrupt. Where are they? Again, just more bullshit to distract from Tesla's growing lead.

Also, in 2020 the third-party DCFC stations were supposed to explode over the next two years, over-taking Tesla's Supercharger dominance. Here it is, 5 years later, and Tesla still has over 60% of all the DCFCers on the continent, every other DCFC network combined still only has 40% of the chargers. Why does one company STILL have to provide the majority of all DCFC opportunities? Why has no one else stepped up to the plate? Why did the little startup with no money have to do most all of it?

Not to toot my own horn, but I predicted all of this correctly, the naysayers wanted Tesla to fail so badly, and for the legacy OEM's to step up to the plate. I told them it wasn't going to happen. Legacy auto still can't make an EV that can compete favorably with a Tesla on price and specs. Their software still sucks. And they still have to sell them for less than they cost to produce, losing money on each one they sell. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model Y is the best-selling car in the world, gas or electric, for two years in a row. Just a couple of days ago, Elon said it was positioned well to make it three years in a row.

What is it that the naysayers don't get about actual sales data? Specifically, that Tesla can profitably sell an EV that outcompetes every gas car or truck out there? What is wrong with legacy auto?

 

[HaulingAss]

That's true. Kyle's Out of Spec trip to China was pretty eye opening as to what's out there and could one day be incorporated. Legacy automakers haven't been motivated enough to push forward though, and makes Tesla look revolutionary here in the states.

Tesla China competes very favorably in China with the best of the Chinese EV brands, even brands that sell for 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of a Chinese Tesla. Tesla China makes and sells more cars than any other Tesla Factory, by far. Sure, BYD has a bunch of much cheaper EVs, but Chinese buyers that can afford the best still buy Tesla over BYD.

 

[sys700]

I just think it’s important to say whether it comes to fruition or not, in fairness Lars and Franz just told Jay Leno a couple of weeks ago (when he was reviewing the Juniper Y). That the new roadster was “still coming.” There wasn’t anything even close to a timeframe given though. They seemed sincere, but very sheepish about it.

as far as the battery is concerned I don’t know how many people are in the same boat with me but when I was allowed to order my FS CB in June of last year there was a slight period of time where you were not allowed to order the battery it seems like it was only a couple of weeks so I don’t know how many people were affected. And there was never an opportunity provided for me to add it to my order later after they resumed taking pre-orders for it.

I didn’t care too much because on this one I have been pretty resolute though I want it desperately, to wait and see exactly what it looks like and how much real world range people are getting. But, at this point, as I’ve stated previously my solution to the range issue is … a whole other truck (Scout).

I had the same issue in June. It was on the mobile app - a glitch. Apparently the browser still had the option.

 

[vicspub002]

Another way to do the range extender would be to make the battery the bed of a trailer. Then you could haul things long distances and the battery is built into the trailer. Would not have to worry too much about size or weight.

 

[OUTLAW]

I believe the 4680 batteries were largely a fail, as truck range of 500 miles was loosely based on that technology.
let’s be real here. We’re realistically getting 75% or 200 miles out of these pacs now with highway. I doubt I would have ever considered this truck knowing this fact.

 

[Dahongfei]

Same. I still have the other adhesive defect recall to do, but I won’t drive 3 hrs for one recall and no light bar.

Waiting for my punch list to build and recall, hoping then lightbar will be ready. But damn it's going on a year here.

 

[Effonefiddy Lightning]

Aside from my unhealthy addiction to swapping cars:

• Tech. The Ford Lightning had tech that was a step down from Tesla, but as my first EV I assumed all EV’s from different manufacturers would have that level of advanced tech. GM was actually a step down, doesn’t even offer PAAK and basically not planning on much OTA activity. The app while fairly useful doesn’t always work properly for remote start, and is nowhere near as snappy as Tesla’s. Have to press and hold to do everything.
• Andoid OS, it’s okay, but I’m not a fan. No CarPlay. I prefer Tesla OS if no CarPlay available.
• SuperCruise is great, FSD is way better. I was incredibly impressed by self-driving. I drive A LOT across multiple states. Over the years I’m starting to notice the fatigue, and that my focus isn’t what it used to be a few hours into a drive. By no means dangerous, but for example; I don’t think I would have hit the deer that has my truck getting repairs right now if I’d been using FSD on my return trip from out of state.
• I’m on the road a lot, the vault is nice to secure things when I’m staying in hotels and temp housing. Didn’t realize how snappy it was until I saw it in person.
• I’m realizing the value those stainless steel panels. I’m reminded of this as I’m trading my wife’s Yukon and I see small dents from a hail storm we got caught in that are going to devalue it. Seems better built for being out in the elements for an extended period. Also I’m on drilling rigs and construction sites a lot, less concern of damage from stuff that gets kicked up.
• It fits in a garage. My Sierra doesn’t fit in our garage. It’s not that big a deal, but again, thinking about potential damage when being left outside; when there’s a chance for inclement weather.
• Ability to use ALL superchargers, not just some of them.
• Sentry mode to keep an eye on the truck and deter insurance fraud attempts, not an option on GM
• Rewarding a company that innovates. I had a loaner M3 and realized just how behind other companies are with UI and driver assistance. Tesla has had their hiccups, but not because of complacency. It’s because they tried something new, and an issue arose. I support that.
• Rewarding a company that offers value and doesn’t force you up the chain for certain tech. I’ve had a couple of GM’s among many other manufactuers (9 vehicles in 5 years). I’m tired of having to pay for top trim just to get stuff like SuperCruise and more speed. Then, I’m annoyed that a company like GM does not give you lane centering on non-premapped roads whereas even Ford offers that. Tesla’s mid level vehicles offer all of the most advanced tech options, five star safety, and supercar level of acceleration at a moderate price.
• Shared business values. I’ve always been annoyed that when shopping for trucks I’m usually forced to purchase from unionized, and bloated companies. Tesla is made right here, not unionized, and runs their business efficiently. The only reason we don’t own one right now is because they haven’t offered the product I need.

Don’t get me wrong, the Sierra EV is an incredible EV; I’m nitpicking because I’m in a situation where fortunately I can financially do so. For anyone who has never driven a Tesla it will be a 10/10. I got more people approach me with questions and gotten more attention in this truck than past vehicles including sports cars and an TRX I had. Also, now that I’ve had a taste of that 440 range, it’s really hard to go back. The 300 range is fine for local drivers in cars and SUV’s. However, that big range is IMO necessary for truck stuff outside of urban areas with heavy EV charging infrastructure; it was a game changer for me. However, the CT beckons.

I've got a Lightning, it thinks it's more like 3 steps down. Ford's software is like an unresponsive turtle at times.

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