When the Tesla Cybertruck prototype debuted with a bang back in 2019, the screen above the stage proudly displayed an estimated range of over 500 miles on a full charge. Fast-forward to 2025, and that 500-mile range figure is still nowhere to be seen on the Cybertruck’s spec sheet.
The solution? A unique range-extending battery that could have boosted the electric pickup’s range closer to that initial promise. Much like a smartphone battery case that can add a couple of hours of screen-on time, Tesla’s add-on extender had the potential to make long road trips a little easier on the nerves.
But even before shipping a single unit, the company canceled the product and is working on refunding customers their deposits.
Interestingly enough, competing EV manufacturer Rivian patented a range-extending battery for an electric pickup in 2019 (it was granted a year later), but until now, the maker of the R1T has yet to launch such a product.
What was it?
Since November 2023, when deliveries of the Cybertruck finally started, there has been only one official photo of the product. By the looks of it, it was simply a big battery box that would bolt into the bed, taking up roughly one-third of the cargo space, as Tesla CEO Elon Musk described in a reply on X.
Could owners install and uninstall it themselves?
Nope. The truck’s lead engineer, Wes Morrill, said the installation and potential uninstallation would only be handled by Tesla service centers to make sure it’s safe in a crash. The same thing appeared on the company’s online order page, which would have made it less versatile than a smartphone battery case.
How much does it weigh?
The American EV maker didn’t disclose the weight of the range-extending battery, but by our calculations, we estimated the bolt-in box to tip the scales at around 500 pounds, which isn’t something you’d want to handle on your own at home. Here’s an excerpt from the article where we discussed the potential weight of the pack:
It will need around 47 kWh of usable storage. That’s about 575 4680 cells or 450 pounds in just batteries. The unit will also have added weight for the pack construction and other embedded components.
How much range was it supposed to add?
According to Tesla, the Cybertruck range extender would have allowed the pickup to drive over 470 miles with both batteries fully charged. That’s roughly 150 miles extra for the dual-motor all-wheel drive version that can go up to 318 miles on its own, and we expected the tri-motor Cyberbeast to drive approximately 350 miles with the accessory installed and charged.
Tesla Cybertruck range extender reservation option on Tesla’s website
Tesla
How much did it cost?
While not set in stone, the estimated price for the Tesla Cybertruck’s range-extending battery was $16,000, as shown on the company’s website. Customers who ordered a brand-new pickup could opt for the range extender and pay a $500 non-refundable deposit to get priority installation after production starts.
When was it supposed to go on sale?
Tesla estimated it would start production of the Cybertruck range extender in the first part of 2025, with installations slated to begin shortly after that. But that never happened and will probably never happen in the future, as the bolt-on battery pack was discontinued. Tesla didn’t offer a reason for canceling the product, but the disappointing Cybertruck sales might have something to do with it.
