Tesla Cybertruck: its fuel consumption is known and disappointing

The leak of approval documents for the Cybertruck reveals the battery capacity and, consequently, its theoretical energy consumption.

Tesla never discloses the capacity of its batteries. This stance is driven by multiple reasons, from the belief that consumers do not care about it to the need to evolve its product without public announcement. Their developments are sometimes regional; a model in Asia can have different technical specs than in the United States or Europe. And all this mystery fuels the suspense…

However, nowadays, keeping a secret is increasingly difficult, if not impossible. Thus, the approval documents for the Tesla Cybertruck reveal a battery capacity of 123 kWh, roughly double that of a Tesla Model 3 Propulsion. Quite a size… but with lower ranges.

This is where the issue arises, given that Tesla has only provided “estimates” for the range. Understand that there could be a significant gap between the marketing promise and reality.

Cybertruck Propulsion: equipped with a single motor at the rear and thus limited regeneration during braking, its range is the lowest. Estimated at 402 km, with a theoretical consumption of 30.5 kW/100 km. This also doubles the consumption of a Model 3.

Cybertruck Dual Motor: with its four-wheel drive and 600 hp, it will probably be the best-selling model across the Atlantic. Promising 547 km per full charge, its consumption would drop to 22.4 kW/100 km. The inertia provided by the 3-ton weight of this Tesla helps regenerate energy during braking.

Cybertruck Cyberbeast: the most savage of the Cybertruck, sees its power unnecessarily increased to 845 hp for environmental and resource reasons. Here, the range drops to 515 km, with a renewed higher consumption of 23.8 kW/100 km.

These values seem quite optimistic, considering that a lighter, more frugal, and more aerodynamic Tesla Model Y Performance is certified in WLTP mixed cycle at 17.3 kW/100 km. The overconsumption of the Cybertruck Cyberbeast would then be “only” 38% higher.

Aware of the range issue, Tesla has considered an additional battery rack, a “range extender,” capable of extending the driving range by about 150 km. However, this extra battery reduces the bed volume by a third… and makes the Cybertruck heavier still. It’s the snake biting its tail.

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