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A screenshot of the Tesla Cybertruck’s specs has been leaked ahead of the truck’s first deliveries coming at the end of this month, and now we know just about everything there is to know about the size of the truck, along with some other surprising capabilities.

The Tesla Cybertruck is finally hitting the road at the end of this month, after being pushed back several times from its original date of late 2021. But there’s still a lot we don’t know about the truck.

But today a youtube video by TFLEV purports to have been sent leaked specs by an unnamed Tesla insider, along with a couple photos photo showing that the truck will include not just standard 120v outlets in the bed, but a NEMA 14-50 240v outlet as well.

The video goes through the specs and a comparison to some other trucks on the road, concluding that the Cybertruck is “just shy” of the size of full-size trucks on the road today.

Below are the specs shown in the video. While we can’t confirm that the specs are true and we don’t know the source that TFLEV got them from, they do seem to fit pretty well with what we already knew about the truck. And it is common for specs like these to be published internally to help train service techs or prepare marketing material this close to release of the vehicle.

  • Overall length: 18.6 feet
  • Overall width (no mirrors): 79.9″
  • Overall height (medium setting): 70.5″
  • Wheelbase: 143″
  • Curb weights: 2 motor 6,670 Ibs, 3 motor 6,890 Ibs
  • Tow rating: 11,000lbs
  • Max tongue: 1,110lbs
  • Bed length: 72.8″
  • Bed Width: 51″
  • Frunk volume: 7.1 cubic feet
  • Weight capacity of frunk: 420lbs
  • Headroom: 41.6″ front, 39″ rear
  • Legroom: 41″ front, 40.9″ rear
  • Shoulder room: 63″ front, 62″ rear
  • Hip room front/rear: 57.2″
  • No outlets in front, one outlet in rear. 110v x 2, 220v x 1

First off, the length, width and bed length are all about what we’ve seen before, and none of the numbers stand out as being really impossible. And the photo included of a 14-50 outlet in the bed of the truck does match other photos we’ve seen of the bed. So it’s likely enough to be real to at least discuss these leaks.

A helpful graphic showing the exterior dimensions, compared to other trucks, was produced by forum user cvalue13 over at cybertruckownersclub, which we’ve used here with permission

At 18.6 feet, or 223 inches long, this is significantly shorter than many trucks on the road. The full-size Ram 1500 and F-150 Lightning are around 230 inches long. The mid-size Toyota Tacoma base model is shorter, but with the 6-foot bed configuration, it’s slightly longer at 225 inches. The Rivian R1T with its small bed is 217 inches long, but that’s more of an “adventure truck” and benefits from more nimbleness. This all matches with TFLEV’s analysis of the Cybertruck as being somewhere between mid and full size.

Moving down the list, width is just under 80″, which seems an intentional choice to avoid regulations that kick in at 80″. After this size, trucks are required to have additional lighting for safety reasons.

At 70.5″ in height, the Cybertrucktruck is actually quite short compared to today’s monster trucks. In videos we’ve seen of the truck next to people or other vehicles, it has seemed a little shorter at the “peak of the triangle” than other trucks. In comparison, the F-150 Lightning is 77 inches tall, making the Cybertruck a half-foot shorter. And the wheelbase is about 2 inches shorter, so the Cybertruck should be slightly more nimble.

Now we get into something quite interesting: curb weight. Despite being smaller than full-size trucks, the Cybertruck is actually a fair chunk heavier than most F-150 Lightning trims. The base trim of the Lightning is about 6k lbs, but the top trim goes up to 6,893lbs – just 3 pounds above the Cybertruck’s top trim of 6,890lbs. It is still lighter than the Rivian R1T’s 7,148lb weight, though.

There are some factors are play here other than size. The Cybertruck has a heavier steel body than the F-150 Lightning’s aluminum, and we don’t yet know the size of its battery. Battery weight is a big contributor to the weight of EVs, and if Cybertruck comes in multiple battery configurations, their weights are likely to differ. We don’t know if the numbers listed are from the “large” or “small” battery, or if there will even be battery options at all.

At Tesla’s original unveiling event, a graphic during the presentation suggested there would be at least two battery sizes, possibly three. But that graphic also included a single-motor variant, which seems not to be in the cards any longer.

At 11,000lbs, tow rating is middling. F-150 Lightning has a tow rating of 7,700 or 10,000lbs depending on trim, R1T can tow 11,000, and the newly-announced Ramcharger hybrid can tow 14,000lbs. But most interesting is that Tesla’s website still says, today, that it will have a tow capacity of 14,000lbs. This may differ between option levels (dual- vs. tri-motor), but the curb weight spec lists multiple entries, so it would be strange if the other specs do not.

One of the first pieces of marketing which Tesla released for the Cybertruck was a video of a “tug-of-war” with a gas F-150. The best F-150s have a towing capacity of up to 14k lbs, which is significantly more than the Cybertruck has. But other trims have lower capacity, and Tesla probably wasn’t using the peak-trim Ford. That said, the whole stunt was silly and doesn’t really tell much of anything, but if the Cybertruck comes in with less towing capacity than promised and less than what the model it pit itself against can do, that would be a disappointment.

Cybertruck’s bed length and width are substantial, at over six feet long, and about as wide as other trucks on the road at 51 inches. An over six foot long bed is impressive with the shorter length of the Cybertruck, though we don’t know if it still includes a mid-gate as originally planned. Also, we know from recent photos that the Cybertruck’s bed has angled sides instead of vertical ones, so if they’re measuring from the top instead of the bottom, they’re cheating each of these numbers a bit.

The frunk has been an issue of much interest lately, with sightings of the massive frunk opening leading to slight disappointment when seeing how shallow it actually is.

In terms of total capacity, 7.1 cubic feet is quite a bit smaller than other truck frunks. The Lightning has a 14.1 cubic foot frunk and the Hummer and Rivian have 11 cubic foot frunks – and the latter has additional covered storage in its “gear tunnel” between the passenger compartment and the bed.

However, Cybertruck’s frunk is quite wide, running basically the full width of the vehicle, and has a relatively small lip at the front, meaning easier potentially easier access for heavy or wide items that don’t need to be dropped in from above. It also looks like it might work as a bench, but, the hood might get in the way of that.

For interior dimensions, forum user cvalue13 over at cybertruckownersclub created a great graphic showing comparisons of various interior specs against other trucks on the road today.

Again here the Cybertruck seems to be inbetween full and mid size trucks. This may be more of a “four adult” truck than a “five adult” one, but the Cybertruck still manages to lead in headroom when compared to everything else in the field. This is interesting in relation to its relatively lower overall height, and the fact that Cybertruck’s height only peaks at one point, the peak of the triangle, rather than having a flat roof. Yet rear headroom is still quite good despite the angle in question.

This is a point where we actually have some subjective experience, as we got a short ride-along at the Cybertruck’s unveiling event. While the ride was quite a blur and just went up and down Jack Northrop Blvd. outside Tesla’s design center in Hawthorne, the interior did feel positively cavernous in that ride. The truck surely has changed some since that first event, but we would believe the high headroom number.

Finally, TFLEV showed photos they received from their internal source, of particular interest is one showing the outlets in the bed.

This photo looks real, because the rail at the top matches with others we’ve seen of the Cybertruck with the bed open. You can also see the geometric design of the side of the bed, including the aforementioned angle/slope to it.

The bed has two NEMA 5-20 outlets, a 120v plug, which is fewer than the R1T’s three outlets in the bed. The Lightning has two outlets in base trim, but can be upgraded to four outlets with the Pro Power Onboard package.

But Cybertruck also has a 240V NEMA 14-50 plug, which has become the “standard” plug for EV charging. Tesla has included NEMA 14-50 adapters with the purchase of its vehicles in the past, and has recommended that owners charge from 14-50 outlets.

Lightning’s Pro Power Onboard package also includes a 240V outlet, but it uses the locking L14-30 outlet type, rather than the 14-50. Lightning also includes outlets in the frunk and interior of the truck (as does Rivian – and also in the gear tunnel), but Cybertruck seems to only have outlets in the bed, as far as we’ve seen.

A 14-50 outlet is also interesting because this suggests that the Cybertruck will be capable of putting out 12kW worth of power, which is a lot more than either of the other electric trucks we’ve been comparing against, even with Ford’s upgraded package that brings total output from 2.4kW to 9.6kW. You can run a house on the power from an F-150 Lightning, so the Cybertruck should be able to do the same – if Tesla decides to sell the additional devices that would be necessary for that (given Tesla already sells similar units for its Powerwall, this seems like something they could do, but Tesla has waffled on bidirectional support for its vehicles).

What do you think about the Cybertruck spec leak? Is it legit? See anything you think is interesting that we missed? Or any specs that are missing that you’re still waiting for (kWh, horsepower, price…)? Let us know in the comments.

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Tesla’s top battery supplier says Elon doesn’t know how to make battery cells

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Tesla's top battery supplier says Elon doesn't know how to make battery cells

Tesla’s top battery cell supplier, CATL, is throwing some cold water on Tesla’s battery plans and the CEO even said that Elon Musk “doesn’t know how to make battery cells.”

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) had an incredible rise and became the world’s largest producer of battery cells for electric vehicles in the last few years – and by a significant margin.

It even supplies Tesla with many battery cells for its EV production at Gigafactory Shanghai.

CATL’s success has made Robin Zeng, its founder and chairman, one of the foremost authorities on battery cell production, which makes his new comments on Tesla’s battery cell production effort interesting.

Tesla buys most of its batttery cells from suppliers, inlcuding CATL and Panasonic, but it has also launched its own effort to produce its own cylindical 4680 battery cells, which are currently only used in the Cybertruck.

The company has had issues ramping up production of its own battery cells, but it reported making progress lately – going as far as claiming that its own cell will achieve better cost than anyone in the industry by the end of the year.

But CATL is not impressed.

Zeng spoke to Reuters recently and reported that he had a discussion with Musk earlier this year when he visited China. The CATL founder warned Musk that he thinks Tesla’s 4680 effort will fail:

Zeng said he had told Musk directly that his bet on a cylindrical battery, known as the 4680, “is going to fail and never be successful.”

The CATL founder, who has a PhD in physics, was also unimpressed with Musk’s electrochemistry knowledge when debating Tesla’s 4680 batteyr cell effort:

“We had a very big debate, and I showed him,” Zeng said. “He was silent. He doesn’t know how to make a battery. It’s about electrochemistry. He’s good for the chips, the software, the hardware, the mechanical things.”

In this interview, Zeng was very candid about his chat with Musk. He even touched on Musk’s notirous issues with timelines.

He commented:

“His problem is overpromising. I talked to him,” Zeng said. “Maybe something needs five years. But he says two years. I definitely asked him why. He told me he wanted to push people.”

This has been the excuse that many Musk fans have been using to justify his missed timelines: he is trying to motivate his troups.

Electrek’s Take

I am surprised that the head of a supplier would talk about the CEO of one of his main customers like that.

Obviously, he is biased since Tesla’s battery effort could cut into his business, but at the same time, Tesla has always made it clear that they would always need to keep buying from battery suppliers.

I think what is most interesting here is that CATL’s expertise is in LFP cells and we know that Tesla is looking to make its own LFP cells at one point. That might be what Zeng is talking about here.

With that said, Tesla did claim that it is on the verge of accomplishing its cost target with the 4680 cell. It might be true, but I have issues believing some of the things Tesla claims these days.

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Kia is slowing EV9 output in the US despite a hot sales start: Here’s why

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Kia is slowing EV9 output in the US despite a hot sales start: Here's why

Kia is hitting the brakes on production of its first three-row electric SUV in the US. Despite the EV9’s successful debut, new concerns about the EV tax credit are reportedly causing Kia to scale back — at least for now.

After another record-breaking US sales month in October, Kia said the impressive growth is driven by “strong demand” for its electrified lineup.

Kia sold over 69,900 vehicles last month, up 16% from the previous record in October 2023. Electric vehicles (EVs) led the growth, with sales surging 70% year over year (YOY). Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid (HEV) sales were up 65% and 49%, respectively.

One of the biggest factors behind Kia’s growing sales numbers is the addition of its first three-row electric SUV, the EV9.

After delivering the first models last December, Kia has already sold nearly 18,000 EV9s in the US through October. That’s even more than its first dedicated electric vehicle, the EV6, with around 17,700 models sold through the first ten months of 2024.

Despite the early success, Kia reportedly plans to slow output due to new concerns over the federal EV tax credit.

Kia-EV9-output-US
2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line (Source: Kia)

Kia slowing EV9 output in the US over EV tax credit rules

According to The Korea Herald, Hyundai Motor Group is slowing Kia EV9 output at its new $7.6 billion EV manufacturing plant in Georgia.

After kicking off production at its massive new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) just last month, EV9 output is already being put on the back burner.

Kia-EV9-output-US
2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line (Source: Kia)

Industry sources said Hyundai produced just 21 EV9s in the third quarter. Only one of those was sold in the US. Meanwhile, Kia is still selling an average of 1,800 EV9 models each month.

Most EV9 models, even those for the US, are still built at Kia’s manufacturing plant in Korea. In addition, SK On manufactures its battery cells in China.

Kia-EV9-GT-Line-interior
Kia EV9 GT-Line interior (Source: Kia)

Because of this, the three-row electric SUV only qualifies for a partial $3,750 tax credit. “The EV9 is ineligible to benefit from the full IRA benefits due to the battery issue, along with other factors, including price,” A Kia official explained.

Although EV9 prices start at around $55,000, premium trims, like the GT-Line model, cost upwards of $80,000, which exceeds the IRA threshold for SUVs and pickups ($80,000).

2025 Kia EV9 Trim Starting Price*
Light Standard Range $54,900
Light Long Range $59,900
Wind $63,900
Land $69,900
GT-Line $73,900
2025 Kia EV9 price by trim (*excluding $1,325 destination fee)

Hyundai is fast-tracking production at its battery cell plant in GA with SK On to gain compliance. The plant is expected to have a 35 GWh annual capacity, enough for over 500,000 EVs. The Korean automaker is building another battery plant with LG Energy in GA with an expected 30 GWh annual capacity.

With President-elect Trump’s transition team reportedly planning to kill the EV tax credit, things could get more complicated next year.

Kia-EV9-output-US
2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line interior (Source: Kia)

“Reducing the EV subsidy could effectively end benefits for foreign automakers with US facilities,” Kim Pil-su, a car engineering professor at Daelim University, explained. If this is the case, Kia will likely need to boost incentives.

Kia’s EV9 is already among the most discounted EVs in the US. According to Motor Intelligence, EV9 average discounts reached over $18,000 this summer.

The company is currently offering $7,500 in Customer Cash, a $1,500 offer for Tesla owners and lesseees, and an up to $1,000 Season of New Traditions Retail Cash Bonus.

With the new 2025 EV9 hitting dealerships, Kia is offering clearance prices on 2024 models. We can help you take advantage of the savings. You can use our link to view deals on 2024 and 2025 Kia EV9 models at a dealer near you.

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Tesla (TSLA) soars on Trump making easier path for Tesla’s non-existent self-driving tech

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Tesla (TSLA) soars on Trump making easier path for Tesla's non-existent self-driving tech

Tesla (TSLA) is soaring in anticipation that Trump’s administration will make an easier path for Tesla’s self-driving tech, which still doesn’t work, to be approved federally.

Currently, self-driving technology is addressed at the state level, with each state having its own regulations for approving self-driving systems on its roads.

During a conference call following Tesla’s last earnings results, CEO Elon Musk, who has been financially backing the reelection of Donald Trump and “fully endorsed” him, hinted that he could work with the new federal government to get a federal self-driving approval process going.

Now, Bloomberg reports that Trump’s transition team is discussing making it a priority:

Members of President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team have told advisers they plan to make a federal framework for fully self-driving vehicles one of the Transportation Department’s priorities, according to people familiar with the matter.

This news sent Tesla’s stock up 7%, or an increase of 470 billion in value.

That’s surprising because before now, the regulatory aspect of Tesla’s self-driving effort didn’t seem like the biggest hurdle – making the technology work still seems to be the biggest hurdle.

Tesla has been wrong about its self-driving timeline too many times to count, but the latest one is to release unsupervised self-driving in California and Texas in Q2 2025.

Ashok Elluswamy, the head of FSD at Tesla, stated that Tesla’s goal is to achieve over 600,000 miles between critical disengagement, which is based on NHTSA’s data of accidents between human-driven miles.

Tesla has not released any data about its self-driving effort, and therefore, the best data available is crowdsourced. That data currently shows about 241 miles between critical disengagement:

Tesla would need a 2,500x improvement in miles between disengagement to reach a safer-than-human level, which has been the goal before getting regulatory approval.

Electrek’s Take

That sounds like a much bigger hurdle than getting regulatory approval.

I actually agree with the Trump administration that it makes more sense to have a federal framework for approving self-driving systems than at the state level.

But I don’t see how it will help Tesla since there’s no clear path to Tesla achieving a level safer than human with their current approach any time soon.

At the current pace, the 2,500x improvement would take 10 years and we have yet to see a significant acceleration to the pace of improvement.

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