Obviously we are still in a state of wishes and dreams with the CT, however I wanted to vent/post something regarding options and cost. Assuming Tesla delivers and is able to produce at the price-points originally advertised, and what we know about current options for available Tesla models. There really isn't a lot of added options you would be expected to pay for if you wanted it, given all the built in options they advertised with it. (And this is kind of the dumb beauty with Tesla in general)
Exterior options:
Wheels and Tires: Ok lets say $2-$3K
Maybe an Off-road Lighting Kit: Imagine if that center light bar that was on the proto is an option ($1K)
Winch? $1K
Those deployable integrated ramps: My guess is that will be an option $1K
Skid Plate Package (Already has one sort of) (Doubtful) ($1K)
Automatic/ deployable steps/rails ($2K)
What could they possibly put on the interior?
Maybe an entertainment system for rear-seat passengers?
Interior Lighting customization
Smart glass roof (electrically charged privacy glass) $1K (I'm actually kind of surprised Tesla doesn't already offer something like this (unless its illegal for consumer cars)
Night vision option (Even Jeep has this now) $1K
HUD: $1K
I'd definitely pay for no Yoke (Yes, Throw your stones at me now!!) $500
I'd also pay for an additional cluster display (which according to some spy shots, looks like CT might actually get one!!$ 3-$4K
Trucks in general are the most optioned out vehicles out there. I know that is not Tesla's game, and I actually like that, because it obviously aids in production and also the customer pretty much knows what he/she is getting.
But the reason I say this is more an exercise in comparing to other EV Trucks. Remember when Ford announced the F150 Lightning? Starting at $39K! Wow amazing right?! Except you can't get the max battery pack in the base version (which would have put it around $49K(ish) for a 300 mi range EV Truck. Want that max range? Well now you have to step up to the XLT, but you get all these "extra options" that you cannot de-select, which make the price of that truck start at $72K before tax rebates (So $65K). I imagine that Chevy will do the same thing based on the initial literature around their 24 Silverado EV.
Rivian is the only one so far that is even remotely close to CT initial numbers. Their options are nice, and if you wanted them you buy them, but bare bones you get a really nice interior, lots of power, a smaller form factor, and a pretty good looking/unique vehicle for $60K after tax incentives. That's still $10K more than mid-tier CT was advertised as, and we can argue if its worth $10K more or not. (I recognize this is a Tesla forum so it will always swing towards the "Hell No! Territory") But in the larger EV Truck picture, Rivian has brought a compelling and competitively priced vehicle to the market, whereas the Legacy auto makers have not. They basically said, only Ford/Chevy Fan boys will buy this truck and because of that, it will be a premium product (lets not even get into the dealer markups!!)
So after all that, if a mid-tier 300 mi CT can be produced for even $55K or maybe a little more, it still ends up possibly being a better buy than a Rivian. Don't bring the SuperCharging Network into this conversation, especially since it looks like it might be opening up for more EV's. Take that out of the equation, it really comes down to how compelling the CT can be when compared to the Rivian. The other trucks are just not there in my opinion, both in cost, shady dealer and manufacturer practices, and perceived value.
Exterior options:
Wheels and Tires: Ok lets say $2-$3K
Maybe an Off-road Lighting Kit: Imagine if that center light bar that was on the proto is an option ($1K)
Winch? $1K
Those deployable integrated ramps: My guess is that will be an option $1K
Skid Plate Package (Already has one sort of) (Doubtful) ($1K)
Automatic/ deployable steps/rails ($2K)
What could they possibly put on the interior?
Maybe an entertainment system for rear-seat passengers?
Interior Lighting customization
Smart glass roof (electrically charged privacy glass) $1K (I'm actually kind of surprised Tesla doesn't already offer something like this (unless its illegal for consumer cars)
Night vision option (Even Jeep has this now) $1K
HUD: $1K
I'd definitely pay for no Yoke (Yes, Throw your stones at me now!!) $500
I'd also pay for an additional cluster display (which according to some spy shots, looks like CT might actually get one!!$ 3-$4K
Trucks in general are the most optioned out vehicles out there. I know that is not Tesla's game, and I actually like that, because it obviously aids in production and also the customer pretty much knows what he/she is getting.
But the reason I say this is more an exercise in comparing to other EV Trucks. Remember when Ford announced the F150 Lightning? Starting at $39K! Wow amazing right?! Except you can't get the max battery pack in the base version (which would have put it around $49K(ish) for a 300 mi range EV Truck. Want that max range? Well now you have to step up to the XLT, but you get all these "extra options" that you cannot de-select, which make the price of that truck start at $72K before tax rebates (So $65K). I imagine that Chevy will do the same thing based on the initial literature around their 24 Silverado EV.
Rivian is the only one so far that is even remotely close to CT initial numbers. Their options are nice, and if you wanted them you buy them, but bare bones you get a really nice interior, lots of power, a smaller form factor, and a pretty good looking/unique vehicle for $60K after tax incentives. That's still $10K more than mid-tier CT was advertised as, and we can argue if its worth $10K more or not. (I recognize this is a Tesla forum so it will always swing towards the "Hell No! Territory") But in the larger EV Truck picture, Rivian has brought a compelling and competitively priced vehicle to the market, whereas the Legacy auto makers have not. They basically said, only Ford/Chevy Fan boys will buy this truck and because of that, it will be a premium product (lets not even get into the dealer markups!!)
So after all that, if a mid-tier 300 mi CT can be produced for even $55K or maybe a little more, it still ends up possibly being a better buy than a Rivian. Don't bring the SuperCharging Network into this conversation, especially since it looks like it might be opening up for more EV's. Take that out of the equation, it really comes down to how compelling the CT can be when compared to the Rivian. The other trucks are just not there in my opinion, both in cost, shady dealer and manufacturer practices, and perceived value.