Tesla Confirms Cancellation of Cybertruck Range Extender and Full Refunds

Tesla has officially canceled the Cybertruck Range Extender and will issue full refunds. Find out what this means for range specs and customer expectations.

Tesla has officially canceled the production of the Range Extender — an auxiliary battery module designed to significantly increase the Cybertruck’s driving range. The news began circulating after Cybertruck owners shared screenshots of Tesla's emails on social platform X. In these messages, the company confirmed the cancellation and promised to fully refund all prepayments.

The Range Extender was marketed as a solution for those expecting more from the Cybertruck. After a highly publicized launch in 2019, Tesla promised three pickup variants, with the top model offering up to 500 miles of range. However, when the first units started reaching customers in 2023, the reality turned out to be less impressive. The most expensive version — the Cyberbeast — delivered only 320 miles on a full charge, while the AWD version managed 340 miles. This shortfall frustrated buyers who had counted on more ambitious specs.

To bridge that gap, Tesla introduced the Range Extender. According to estimates, it could have increased the Cybertruck AWD’s range to over 470 miles, and the Cyberbeast’s to more than 440 miles. However, the upgrade came at a steep cost — approximately $16,000.

Now, Tesla has shut down the project. The official wording was brief: “We are no longer planning to sell the Range Extender for Cybertruck.” Refunds will be issued to the original payment method.

So what exactly was this module? The Range Extender was an external battery pack installed in the bed of the pickup. It took up roughly one-third of the cargo space and required professional installation at a Tesla service center — owners couldn’t install it themselves. The additional battery was expected to provide up to 130 extra miles of range, depending on the vehicle configuration.

The decision to cancel the extender has sparked mixed reactions. Some users took it as a sign that a future Cybertruck model with improved range might be on the way — a possibility optimists are clinging to. Others see the move as a mistake, arguing that the Range Extender was the only viable way to reach the 500-mile range that once captured the imagination of hundreds of thousands of potential buyers.

With competition in the electric pickup segment intensifying, dropping the Range Extender could weaken the Cybertruck’s position compared to offerings from Ford, Rivian, and others.

Will there be an alternative? For now, Tesla remains silent. But judging by the polarized reactions and growing scrutiny around real-world range, the company will likely face mounting pressure to address these expectations in the coming months.