Range Extender - Any Updates? (MAR 2025)

[VAF84]

The content that the LLM spit out is far too overwhelming to address every single point so I will hit the main ones (that interest me the most, lol):

1) Anyone who lives in China who dissents against the CCPs interest will quietly and quickly disappear, so we can go ahead and rule out any experts there who claim their tech is automatically superior. Sure, some of the packs over there are charging faster, but how long will they last? And is it coincidental that their packs are catching fire at a much higher rate per capita than over here? Tesla's safety goals outweigh charge speeds so I'm not concerned about that factor.

2) Both prismatic and cylindrical cells have their pros and cons, but I think we are trying to focus on a clear "large scale economic winner" in this discussion, so I will focus mainly on one thing that Elon repeats over and over again: the sheer amount of GWh manufacturing capacity per year.

Not a direct comparison, but take a look at prismatic vs cylindrical. Which one looks overall easier to ramp up to insane production speeds?

Chemistry can and will be improved for both formats, but the largest impact we have right now is how fast they can be assembled at acceptable yields.

Happy to continue discussing nuances.

Really good points. Especially, regarding longevity. Ford/GM/Tesla/etc. would have much better EV sales numbers if they could improve upon fast charging times. Unlike other amenities that they can slow roll to squeeze every last drop of profit from; fast charging is one lever that could use to speed up their return on EV investment via greater adoption rates by consumers. I assume that it is in their best interest to roll out the fastest charging technology available with their products, with the caveat of being durable to offset warranty cost risks, as quickly as possible.

Regarding safety. As a well-travelled person, it is my experience that the value of life is considerably higher here than it is in other places. Very little tolerance here in America to loss of life or injury, and any incident is a PR nightmare for American companies. Less so in other countries. Thus it wouldn't suprise me to find out that companies in other less developed countries are releasing products more quickly, but at the expense of more extensive safety testing and tolerances.

Sponsored

 

[REM]

Thus it wouldn't surprise me to find out that companies in other less developed countries are releasing products more quickly, but at the expense of more extensive safety testing and tolerances.

This is China's unabashed foundational principle of economic growth:

 

[dalton108]

The content that the LLM spit out is far too overwhelming to address every single point so I will hit the main ones (that interest me the most, lol):

1) Anyone who lives in China who dissents against the CCPs interest will quietly and quickly disappear, so we can go ahead and rule out any experts there who claim their tech is automatically superior. Sure, some of the packs over there are charging faster, but how long will they last? And is it coincidental that their packs are catching fire at a much higher rate per capita than over here? Tesla's safety goals outweigh charge speeds so I'm not concerned about that factor.

2) Both prismatic and cylindrical cells have their pros and cons, but I think we are trying to focus on a clear "large scale economic winner" in this discussion, so I will focus mainly on one thing that Elon repeats over and over again: the sheer amount of GWh manufacturing capacity per year.

Not a direct comparison, but take a look at prismatic vs cylindrical. Which one looks overall easier to ramp up to insane production speeds?

Chemistry can and will be improved for both formats, but the largest impact we have right now is how fast they can be assembled at acceptable yields.

Happy to continue discussing nuances.

Thanks for the reply I didn’t really have any particular place I wanted to take this conversation just wanted to hear what you had to say about it since I know that you’re kind of passionate about this. It does seem at least one person is annoyed that we’re having the discussion though, as if it’s off-topic, but if the battery extender convo isn’t about range and battery chemistry then I guess … whatever. Excuse me for living.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.

*Please be sure that any future comments on this thread strictly conform to the format of whether you do or do not have any updates on the extended range battery. Thank you for your cooperation. ?

 

[PungoteagueDave]

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?

4680 is DOA, a complete fail. High production costs, low energy density, low yields, dents.

 

[Cybertruck Dude]

yep -same - there were only about 4-5 thousand FS CTB's made -

I don’t even think it’s half of that, maybe 2000 or less. I would really like to know the real amount I read somewhere under 1500. It would be nice to know an official count.

 

[YDR37]

April 2025 update on Range Extender:

The option to pre-order a Range Extender appears to have been removed from the Cybertruck order page.

That is all.

 

[YDR37]

The option to reserve a Range Extender was still available on March 24, when this thread started. I checked it at that time to get the exact language. So it apparently disappeared at some point within the past two weeks.

 

[YDR37]

Maybe this is a topic for a different thread, but the outlook for the Range Extender actually seems better than the outlook for the RWD CT. At least the Range Extender is still shown on the order page, and Tesla will still take your reservation.

That was my thinking on March 24. Guess I spoke too soon, by a week or two.

 

[PungoteagueDave]

Dang. I was counting on having it in November to tow my rig from Maryland to Florida. Guess I’ll have to pay a guy with a super duty. This is the 9,300-lb boat/trailer with one of my former trucks.

 

[YDR37]

If Tesla has in fact given up on the Range Extender, I would certainly hope that those $2,000 "non-refundable reservation deposits" will be refunded.

 

[Virtualarry]

Dang. I was counting on having it in November to tow my rig from Maryland to Florida. Guess I’ll have to pay a guy with a super duty. This is the 9,300-lb boat/trailer with one of my former trucks.

I want more range! Hopefully this is a temporary website update - delay due to supply. They might not want more orders until they know enough can be produced.

 

[PungoteagueDave]

I want more range! Hopefully this is a temporary website update - delay due to supply. They might not want more orders until they know enough can be produced.

I think that there are huge engineering hurdles - if we think about the internal complexity o fteh high voltage batteries we already have - with cooling and heating fluid hookups required, battery management. I don’t see any provisions on our current trucks for connecting another battery or cooling - is it even feasible? I never so never with Elon, but to the naked eye, this looks ephemeral at best. And with such low overall demand for teh CT, will it be worth the development attention? If there’s even a 10% take rate on this, which I doubt, we’d be talking under 5,000 unit sales. Not compelling for a volume product.

 

[Virtualarry]

I think that there are huge engineering hurdles - if we think about the internal complexity o fteh high voltage batteries we already have - with cooling and heating fluid hookups required, battery management. I don’t see any provisions on our current trucks for connecting another battery or cooling - is it even feasible? I never so never with Elon, but to the naked eye, this looks ephemeral at best. And with such low overall demand for teh CT, will it be worth the development attention? If there’s even a 10% take rate on this, which I doubt, we’d be talking under 5,000 unit sales. Not compelling for a volume product.

It is still listed in the specs on Tesla web page. It is still happening. It is a logistical and or web site change, temporary.
regarding cooling: They probably designed a self contained pack.
well engineered as always.

 

[YDR37]

It is still listed in the specs on Tesla web page.

That is a potentially positive sign. Also, the Range Extender is still mentioned in the Cybertruck FAQs:

What is a Range Extender?

Range Extender is an optional hardware addition that can be installed in the bed of the truck to provide additional range. Current pricing for the Range Extender is $16,000 USD (pre-tax) and requires a separate non-refundable $2,000 USD deposit that will be applied to your final payment. Price is subject to change.

Customers who pay the deposit for the Range Extender will be notified when it is ready for installation. Full payment will be required prior to installation. We estimate the first Range Extenders will be available in 2025.

 

[not_elon_]

That is a potentially positive sign. Also, the Range Extender is still mentioned in the Cybertruck FAQs:

When Tesla quietly discontinued the wall connector color matched face plate in black, black was gone from a choice to purchase but was still mentioned in the description as an option. Inconsistencies like this are common rookie mistakes not signs that there’s still a chance. It’s like the confirmation bias of limerence

Sponsored