Tesla Cybertruck's brutal Mardi Gras reception in March wasn't the worst to happen for the electric pickup. Apparently, there's a much worse issue for Cybertruck owners.
The automaker has officially canceled its much-hyped Cybertruck range extender, confirming that it will no longer pursue the accessory. The news comes just weeks after the option quietly vanished from Tesla's website, indicating that the long-delayed upgrade was in trouble.
Why Tesla's Range Promise Fell Short
In a note to customers this week, Tesla said that it would no longer sell the range extender on Cybertruck. This means that if you previously bought one, you are eligible for a full refund.
The range extender was initially sold as a fix for the Cybertruck's disappointing real-world range performance, adding 120 miles of battery power for a steep $16,000. Now, early customers who deposited $2,000 are being refunded with no charge.
When Tesla first rolled out the Cybertruck in 2019, it pledged striking specs and forward-thinking features, principally, more than 500 miles of range for the trimotor "Cyberbeast" model. But when deliveries began in December 2023, the real range for the flagship vehicle reached only 320 miles, Digital Trends reported.
To compensate for the deficit, the Elon Musk-owned EV company suggested a modular range extender, a second battery pack, to be fitted in the truck bed by Tesla mechanics.
Originally planned for early 2025, the launch window was subsequently pushed out to mid-2025 before being canceled outright.
Here's what Tesla messaged to range extender buyers, according to Electrek:
Update to Your Cybertruck Range Extender Order
Hi [redacted],
Thank you for being a Cybertruck owner.
We are no longer planning to sell the Range Extender for Cybertruck. As a result, we will be refunding your deposit in full. The amount will be returned to the original payment method used for the transaction.Thank you for your understanding.
The Tesla Team
Cybertruck Faces Mounting Challenges
Tesla's Cybertruck launch has not been without its bumps. While production finally started in 2023 at Gigafactory Texas, only the dual-motor and tri-motor models have reached customers so far. Those who have been waiting for the single-motor Long Range model are still in stuck in disappointment.
Sales data underscore the car's increasing issues. During the first quarter of 2025, Tesla sold a paltry 6,406 Cybertrucks, fewer than half as many as the quarter before. This has resulted in a backlog of some $200 million worth of unsold vehicles.
Industry insiders point to several reasons for the slow adoption, including high price point, quality control problems, tough competition, and public perception.
The cancellation of Tesla Cybertruck range extender is just the tip of the iceberg. In fact, Tech Times reported last month that there was a Tesla Exodus in the used EV listings. It signaled that more owners were ditching the EV firm.
To add insult to the injury, the car maker's first-quarter profit declined by 71%. Some fans blamed Musk for hurting the brand, but the billionaire only blamed the "shadowy forces" who thwart the company's developments and products.
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