The Tesla Cybertruck recently underwent an independent third-party range test, which was conducted live on video. Surprisingly, it fell short of its published range estimate, covering only 254 miles (409 km) instead of the expected 318 miles (511 km). Here’s a breakdown of the test, the potential factors that could’ve contributed to the lackluster result, and what to expect in the future.
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The test was conducted during the early morning hours on a highway to minimize the impact of traffic on the results. The driver began with a fully charged battery, and they drove the Cybertruck until it reached 0% charge and couldn’t move any further. When this happened, the testers had to tow the truck to a charging station and reconnect it for recharging.
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Notably, the truck in question is a Dual Motor Founders Series with 20-inch wheels and 35-inch all-terrain tires. That combination is supposed to be good for a maximum range of 318 miles of range. Finishing the test with only 254 miles covered represents a 21% decrease in range over the estimate presented by the EPA and Tesla. To put it mildly, that’s not great no matter how you justify it.
It’s worth noting that this test wasn’t in optimal conditions for the Cybertruck. Firstly, the temperature during the test was just 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7°C). Secondly, most of the test was conducted at approximately 70 mph (112 km/h). Lastly, the test occurred in Texas Texas at a relatively low elevation. A different median speed, a different elevation, and a different temperature could produce very different results.
On top of these factors, the truck will at some point supposedly be available with all-season tires which should improve range as well. Of course, that version of the truck is supposed to go 340 miles (547 km) on a single charge so it has a high(er) bar to reach. All in all, this is a bit of a disappointment for a truck that has already had some misses now that it’s in production.
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