Tesla cancelled the optional Range Extender battery for the Cybertruck without explanation

Tesla has finally scrapped the idea of producing the Range Extender - a $16,000 extra battery pack for the Cybertruck - and has started refunding pre-order customers.

Here's What We Know

Until a few weeks ago, the accessory disappeared from the configurator on the official website, and now Cybertruck owners have received an official letter: Tesla is no longer planning to release the Range Extender, and all deposits made will be fully refunded.

What is the Range Extender?

In the case of the Tesla Cybertruck, a device called the Range Extender was an external battery pack mounted in the back of the pickup truck. It was supposed to increase range initially to 470 miles (about 756 kilometres) and later to 445 miles (716 kilometres). At the same time, the battery took up a third of the cargo area.

Tesla originally promised a Cybertruck with a range of 500 miles (804 kilometres), thanks to new 4680 cell batteries. However, problems with the production of these cells prevented the target from being met: at launch, the maximum range was only 340 miles (547 kilometres), and later revised to 325 miles (523 kilometres). More recently, a Long Range version with 350 miles (563 kilometres) was introduced. Tesla promised the Range Extender as compensation for the failure of the claimed mileage, but is now retracting that too - without releasing a single one.

Source: InsideEVs