A manager at a Tesla showroom in San Diego has confirmed that the Cybertruck on display in the facility is equipped with a 123 kWh battery, contrary to the initially touted 500-mile range. Previous reports suggested a range of approximately 267 miles, prompting a reevaluation of Tesla’s ambitious mileage claims for its electric pickup truck.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk had announced the Cybertruck with a promised range of 500 miles (805 km) when the electric pickup was initially unveiled four years ago. However, with the disclosure of the 123 kWh battery capacity, the practicality of achieving this range appears to be in doubt.
In a recent video documenting a visit to the San Diego Tesla showroom, YouTuber Tailosive EV shared that the showroom manager disclosed the Cybertruck’s battery capacity. The video did not specify whether the Cybertruck in question was a base model or one of the tri-motor configurations set to be available at launch.
Concerns have also been raised about the Cybertruck’s off-road capabilities, as the upper control arm design appears to resemble a previous instance where it exhibited bending during an off-road test.
Comparatively, the disclosed 123 kWh capacity of the Cybertruck’s battery falls short when measured against competitors like the Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning. The R1T, which shares similar dimensions with the Cybertruck, offers battery options of 105 kWh, 135 kWh, and 180 kWh, providing ranges of 270 miles (435 km), 352 miles (566 km), and 410 miles (660 km), respectively, in a dual-motor configuration.
The Ford F-150 Lightning, slightly larger than the Cybertruck, offers battery packs of 98 kWh and 131 kWh, with claimed ranges of 230 miles (370 km) and 300 miles (483 km), respectively, in a dual-motor setup.
Efficiency, influenced by factors such as motor efficiency and aerodynamics, plays a crucial role in determining electric vehicle range. While the Cybertruck may not be the most aerodynamic, comparisons suggest efficiency results closer to the Ford F-150 Lightning than the Rivian R1T. A previously leaked range of 267 miles (430 km) for the Cybertruck now appears to align more closely with recent revelations about its battery capacity.
Despite earlier optimistic leaks suggesting a potential range of 350 miles (563 km), the disclosed battery capacity raises questions about the Cybertruck’s actual capabilities as it approaches its November 30 launch date.
