Tesla Cancels $16,000 Cybertruck Range Extender Amid Delays; Full Refunds to Customers

Tesla has canceled its $16,000 Cybertruck range extender, intended to add over 100 miles to the vehicle's range, after delays and reduced performance estimates. The decision was communicated via email, and customers who paid a $2,000 deposit will receive full refunds. The cancellation has frustrated some owners who considered the extender crucial for achieving the range initially promised in 2019. The extender faced design trade-offs, occupying significant cargo space, and was delayed multiple times. Tesla has not provided detailed reasons for the cancellation, but design and performance issues likely contributed.

A Promised Solution to a Range Shortfall

When Tesla unveiled the Cybertruck in 2019, the company promised a top-tier model capable of more than 500 miles of range. However, when the vehicle began deliveries in late 2023, the actual range fell significantly short. The dual-motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD) version offered up to 340 miles, while the tri-motor “Cyberbeast” variant delivered just 320 miles per charge—well below the original expectations.

To address this discrepancy, Tesla introduced the Range Extender, a $16,000 add-on battery pack designed to sit in the truck bed and provide an additional 100 to 130 miles of range. The accessory was initially expected to push the AWD model’s range to approximately 470 miles and the Cyberbeast’s to over 440 miles. However, by early 2025, Tesla had revised those estimates downward to 445 and 415 miles, respectively.

Quiet Cancellation and Customer Notification

Speculation about the Range Extender’s fate began in April 2025 when Tesla quietly removed the option from its online configurator. The company later confirmed the cancellation in emails sent to customers who had placed deposits. The message read:

“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.”

Tesla customer service representatives also confirmed the cancellation to media outlets, stating that all $2,000 deposits would be refunded in full.

Design Trade-Offs and Delays

The Range Extender was not without its compromises. The battery pack was designed to occupy roughly one-third of the Cybertruck’s bed space, limiting cargo capacity and raising concerns among potential buyers about its practicality. Some owners criticized the design, suggesting that a flatter, full-bed-length battery would have preserved more utility.

Originally slated for release in late 2024, the extender faced multiple delays. By October 2024, Tesla had pushed the expected delivery to mid-2025. Alongside the delays, the company also reduced the estimated range benefit by 25 miles, further dampening enthusiasm.

Customer Reactions: Frustration and Disappointment

The cancellation has drawn mixed reactions from Cybertruck owners and EV enthusiasts. Some expressed understanding, speculating that Tesla may be planning to release a higher-range version of the Cybertruck in the future. Others, however, voiced frustration, saying the extender was a key factor in their decision to purchase the vehicle.

“I wouldn’t have bought this truck if I had known they’d never offer this,” one owner told Torque News. On social media platforms like Reddit and X, users criticized the move, with some calling it a betrayal of Tesla’s original promises.

The backlash reflects broader dissatisfaction with the production Cybertruck’s deviation from its 2019 launch specs. At the time, Tesla had announced a $39,900 base model with over 250 miles of range, a $49,900 AWD version with over 300 miles, and a $69,900 tri-motor variant with over 500 miles. In reality, the first models shipped in 2023 were priced significantly higher, with the Foundation Series starting at $120,000 and the base model now listed at $60,990.

A Pattern of Revisions

The Range Extender’s cancellation is the latest in a series of adjustments to the Cybertruck’s features and capabilities. Tesla CEO Elon Musk had previously claimed the vehicle could function as a boat, capable of crossing rivers and lakes. That feature has not materialized, though Musk has since said the company is working on an update that would allow the truck to traverse at least 100 meters of water.

Meanwhile, Tesla has faced broader challenges with the Cybertruck rollout. A March 2025 recall filing revealed that fewer than 50,000 units had been delivered, far short of the “over 1 million” reservations Musk had previously claimed. Reports also indicate that Tesla has scaled back production of the vehicle amid declining sales and growing customer dissatisfaction.

Refund Process

Tesla has stated that all customers who placed a $2,000 deposit for the Range Extender will receive a full refund. The amount will be returned to the original payment method used for the transaction. No further action is required from customers, according to Tesla’s communication.

The company has not provided a detailed explanation for the cancellation beyond the brief email notice. However, the combination of design limitations, reduced performance estimates, and production delays likely contributed to the decision.

References

• Tesla Just Removed The One Feature That Sold Me On The Cybertruck, 'I Wouldn't Have Bought This $100K Truck If I Had Known They'd Never Offer The Range Extender’
• Tesla finally calls it quits on Cybertruck range extender
• Tesla Officially Cancels Cybertruck Range Extender, Refunds Deposits
• Tesla cancels $16,000 Cybertruck range extender after delays
• Tesla cancels $16,000 Cybertruck range extender after delays