Tesla is once again facing scrutiny from consumers after quietly removing the extended range battery option for the Cybertruck from its website. The unexpected move has stirred frustration among early adopters, particularly those who had placed non-refundable deposits in anticipation of longer-range capability—a key selling point initially promised by the company.
Previously available for an additional $16,000, the range extender was designed as an external battery pack occupying about one-third of the truck bed. It was positioned as a solution to the Cybertruck’s limited range, especially for customers expecting a vehicle capable of long-haul utility.
Broken Promises: Range Expectations vs. Reality
When the Cybertruck was first unveiled, Tesla touted a range of more than 500 km (311 miles). However, the final production version—specifically the high-end Cyberbeast model—delivers a significantly lower estimated range of just 320 km (199 miles).
To address the shortfall, Tesla proposed the optional extended-range battery for dual-motor models, which would increase the estimated driving range to 470 km (292 miles). That figure was later revised downward to 445 km (277 miles), and the option’s launch was delayed from early 2025 to mid-2024. Now, with no formal announcement, the feature has vanished from Tesla’s online configurator altogether.
Confusion Deepens: Missing from Configurator, Still Listed in Specs
Despite its removal from the order page, the extended-range battery still appears in the official product specifications on Tesla’s website. This inconsistency has added to consumer confusion, with some speculating that the option may return, while others view the move as a quiet cancellation.
Tesla has not clarified whether the deletion is temporary or permanent, further eroding consumer confidence. For many customers—some of whom paid deposits ranging from $510 to $2,043 as of early 2024—the lack of transparency is especially concerning.
A Pattern of Unmet Expectations
This incident is the latest in a series of shifts that have gradually distanced the production Cybertruck from its initial promises. Original claims of bulletproof windows, a sub-$40,000 starting price, and a 500 km+ range have all been either revised or abandoned. The current top-tier Cybertruck model starts at $119,990—three times the originally suggested base price.
Tesla’s handling of these changes is now drawing criticism not just for the product itself, but for what some call a pattern of overpromising and underdelivering. As more reservation holders express dissatisfaction online, the issue risks further damaging Tesla’s brand equity—particularly among its most loyal supporters.
What Comes Next?
With no official comment from Tesla and the extended range option now absent from the configurator, buyers are left in limbo. Whether this is a strategic delay, a supply chain adjustment, or a quiet cancellation remains unclear.
What is clear, however, is that for a product as high-profile as the Cybertruck, Tesla’s ongoing communication gaps are starting to undermine customer trust—raising broader concerns about how the brand manages expectations in an increasingly competitive EV market.
