Electric vehicle giant apparently aims to boost the Cybertruck’s optional range extender battery pack from the currently listed 470+ miles to at least 500 miles in the future, as per Tesla Powertrain and Energy SVP’s remarks in a recent Munro Live video (via Sawyer Merritt).
Notably, five Tesla executives participated in the Munro Live segment, including the following:
- Head of Powertrain and Energy Drew Baglino
- Head of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy
- Head of Design Franz von Holzhausen
- Head of Low Voltage Pete Bannon
- Head of Software David Lau
Tesla’s long-term target
Tesla’s Powertrain and Energy SVP Drew Baglino disclosed Tesla’s long-term target of more than 500 miles for the newly introduced range extender battery pack in Sandy Munro’s recent video content.
For context, the Musk-led company currently lists 470+ miles for the dual-motor variant and 440+ miles for the top-tier Cyberbeast.
The introduction of the range extender battery pack is an apparent strategy of the automaker to stay true to its 2019 promise of delivering a 500-mile Cybertruck.
Range extender battery purpose
Many may wonder about Tesla’s purpose in developing a separate range extender battery pack rather than equipping the Cybertruck with a larger main battery pack.
As per prominent automotive engineer Munro, an average driver consumes less than 40 miles a day of their vehicle’s battery range. In response, SVP Baglino stated that they designed the Cybertruck’s range extender as an extra accessory with this in mind.
“That’s why we decided to make it an optional add-on.”
Drew Baglino, Tesla’s Powertrain and Energy SVP
Tesla Vehicle Engineering VP Lars Moravy also asserted that the Cybertruck AWD’s current 340-mile range is “totally fine” for anybody. He also provided another sensible reason for the range extender.
“We want to make more electric vehicles, right? So rather than putting more cells in that no one is ever going to use, if you want it you can buy it.”
Lars Moravy, Tesla Vehicle Engineering VP
Prevailing questions about the range extender
In hindsight, Tesla did not initially announce plans to offer a range extender for the Cybertruck before the Delivery Event on November 30.
That said, it surprised many Cybertruck fans and potential buyers when it appeared on the online configurator at that time.
Until now, there are still many questions about the optional battery pack that promises to extend the Cybertruck’s range. For instance, there is still no information about its weight, storage capacity, and official pricing. EV-a2z recently reported that the Cybertruck’s Page Source displays a $16,000 price along the range extender. However, Tesla can still adjust this estimated pricing when it hits production late next year, as noted by InsideEVs.
It also remains vague if owners can lift the optional battery pack in and out of the truck bed.
Nonetheless, the introduction of the Cybertruck’s range extender as an optional extra is indeed smart for the automaker, which aims to produce at least 20 million EVs by 2030. Considering the limited supply of battery materials, it is only right for Tesla to adequately use them in building more units than squeezing large amounts into fewer vehicles.
