Cybertruck design/features

[BertJ]

I would really like a pickup that has a short range battery with the ability to set an auxiliary unit on the bed for long distance or extra trailer towing capacity. A couple different sizes would be nice as well as a good size inverter integrated so it can be used on job site as a app. Build it so it can be moved with a fork lift and a loop on top for crane. Lots of possible uses for this.

 

[dazedNconfuzed]

Drop in battery is too much cost to satisfy too small a market. Maybe for later models; focus is on slashing cost and perfecting initial product. Lots of engineering issues affecting all trucks built, few customers actually using it. There’s a reason replaceable batteries are mostly not a thing now on all rechargeable products.

 

[BertJ]

Drop in battery is too much cost to satisfy too small a market. Maybe for later models; focus is on slashing cost and perfecting initial product. Lots of engineering issues affecting all trucks built, few customers actually using it. There’s a reason replaceable batteries are mostly not a thing now on all rechargeable products.

I’m sure you’re correct about this. However, when I bought my S years ago I bought the bigger battery for the range which I do use sometimes, but only when I travel, maybe 3 or 4 times a year. The rest of the time I’m carrying around a lot of extra weight. My guess Is a lot of people will do the same with a truck. Put that extra battery capacity in a modular unit that can be added to the truck when needed and can then be easily removed to use for a myriad of other purposes and I’d pay extra for that. Maybe I’m the only one.

 

[dazedNconfuzed]

“Added when needed” - aye, there’s the rub.

This isn’t just a cellphone battery boost pack.
This is a ~1 ton pack filling several cubic feet. Few indeed will be able to install it. There must be a large expensive socket to plug it into the truck, risking damage & taking space & weight. Mounting brackets take design, $, space, weight. Separate charging plug is needed to fill & maintain charge in storage. Etc.

And good chance it won’t be installed when needed.

Cheaper to just buy the bigger permanent pack up front - with zero user effort.

 

[Cybermoose]

So the ability to put it in with a forklift or a crane would basically be a requirement unless you had it in several pieces that connect togethter. Further, this wouldn't reduce the cost or even make it a similar cost to the trimotor. To do this you would need to have some way to connect it directly to the battery to be able to use while charging. Alternatively, you could have a battery pack that would be designed to charge the truck in a traditional way, but that isn't at all Tesla is likely to do. Tesla wouldn't need to do this because EV's are becoming more and more popular and there are a couple companies that are working towards portable chargers that could give enough range to make it to a charger. It would be possible to make a really big one that could give you as much range as you want, but in my personal opinion, it would be a waste of money. If your day to day driving isn't enough to make a trimotor worth it, then don't a trimotor, because by the time the Cybertruck has been delievered to everyone that preordered it, we will probably see 2-3x the amount of chargers there are today. There will be a lot more Tesla Superchargers and destination chargers, as well as tons more chargers by other companies all over the world. There will probably be very few routes in the US and Canada that don't have a charger available.

 

[CMoZ]

I’m sure you’re correct about this. However, when I bought my S years ago I bought the bigger battery for the range which I do use sometimes, but only when I travel, maybe 3 or 4 times a year. The rest of the time I’m carrying around a lot of extra weight. My guess Is a lot of people will do the same with a truck. Put that extra battery capacity in a modular unit that can be added to the truck when needed and can then be easily removed to use for a myriad of other purposes and I’d pay extra for that. Maybe I’m the only one.

This is the status quo. Most people don't only fill their ICE car with just enough gas for their trip. The benefit I see here is EV's have effectively the same weight full or empty. If you're that concerned about weight reduction you can start ripping out seats

 

[Cyber_Dav]

If you're that concerned about weight reduction you can start ripping out seats

If they'd just give us our flying cars we could get rid of all that tire and suspension weight!