Tesla has abruptly canceled its optional Cybertruck range extender, a product once touted as a solution for drivers seeking extended mileage, and is now issuing full refunds to customers who pre-ordered the $3,500 add-on. The move comes after the company claimed it could achieve the electric pickup’s originally promised 470-mile range through over-the-air software updates, leaving many to question the viability of its earlier hardware-focused strategy.
A Sudden Reversal
First announced in late 2023, the Cybertruck range extender was marketed as a supplemental battery pack designed to fit in the truck’s bed, boosting its range from an estimated 340 miles to the initially advertised 470 miles. However, Tesla never officially released the product, and pre-order holders were left in limbo until this week. In an email to customers, the company stated, “We’ve determined that the Cybertruck will achieve its 470-mile range through future software improvements, making the range extender unnecessary.”
The decision raises eyebrows, particularly given Tesla’s history of overpromising on specifications. When the Cybertruck launched in late 2023, its actual range fell short of initial claims, with the highest-tier “Cyberbeast” model delivering just 320 miles per charge. Tesla CEO Elon Musk had previously blamed “production constraints” for the delay of the range extender, but the company’s latest pivot to software fixes has left skeptics unconvinced.
Software Over Hardware?
According to a report by Electrek, Tesla engineers have been working on optimizing the Cybertruck’s energy consumption through updates to its motor efficiency and battery management systems. While software improvements have boosted range in past Tesla models, achieving a 40% increase—from 340 to 470 miles—without hardware changes would be unprecedented. Industry experts remain cautious. “Software can tweak margins, but physics still applies,” said EV analyst Sandra Choi. “A 130-mile jump would require near-perfect efficiency, which seems unlikely without a larger battery.”
Customer Frustration Mounts
For early Cybertruck adopters, the cancellation is the latest in a string of letdowns. “I paid $120,000 for the Cyberbeast expecting 470 miles, only to be told I’d need to sacrifice bed space for a range extender. Now they’re backtracking entirely,” said pre-order holder Mark Thompson. “I’ll take the refund, but it doesn’t fix the fact that my truck barely hits 300 miles on a good day.”
Tesla has not provided a timeline for the promised software updates, nor has it clarified whether the 470-mile range will apply to all Cybertruck variants or require additional purchases. The company’s silence on these details has fueled speculation that the cancellation may be a cost-cutting measure rather than a technical breakthrough.
What’s Next for the Cybertruck?
The Cybertruck’s journey has been marred by delays, production hurdles, and now unfulfilled promises. While Tesla’s focus on software innovation is commendable, the abrupt cancellation of the range extender risks further eroding trust in a brand already grappling with quality control complaints and legal challenges over exaggerated range estimates.
For now, Cybertruck owners hoping for more miles will have to wait—and wonder if the next update will truly deliver, or if Tesla’s latest pledge is just another roadblock in disguise.
BREAKING: Tesla has cancelled the Cybertruck Range Extender.
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) May 7, 2025
“We are no longer planning to sell the Range Extender for Cybertruck. As a result, we will be refunding your deposit in full” pic.twitter.com/yb1xOqecX2
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