Tesla Cybertruck Range Extender option is just the beginning…
One piece of the Tesla Cybertruck launch we didn’t see coming (nor did Tesla event planners or CEO apparently) was the Range Extender, which we are still learning more about now. But what we already know answers some questions like how Cybertruck owners expect to tow or travel long distances, especially in the cold, without charging as often.
But the 130-mile add-on battery also presents some opportunities that harken back to when Tesla demonstrated battery swap stations. And its interface to the Cybertruck even presents opportunities for other energy sources from solar to hydrogen to even petroleum generators.
Range Extender omitted during the presentation
It is hard to tell if Tesla and CEO Elon Musk were supposed to have mentioned the range extender during the admittedly haphazard and cringey presentation but it would seem like a really big deal. For one, it would get the Cybertruck acceptably close to Tesla’s originally promised 500-mile range.
Tesla’s website says the Range Extender brings the mid-level Cybertruck to “470+” miles of range. That’s an additional 130+ miles and, if the 123kWh battery pack takes the Cybertruck 340 miles (2.7 miles/kWh), the range extender would need to be an additional ~47kWh.
Range Extender or Federal Tax Credit Extender?
By making 1/3 of the 500-mile battery an external accessory, Tesla was able to keep the price just under $80,000. That allows it to qualify most owners for the $7500 tax credit which is a significant savings and could be put towards the rest of the 500-mile battery on Uncle Sam’s dime.
Also, being frank here, most owners will not need a 500-mile battery even if it makes them feel a lot safer. But the prospect of being able to add more range at a later time might allow some potential buyers to make the purchase and “see how it goes” with just 300 miles of range.
How much does the Cybertruck Range Extender weigh?
47kWh is a huge and heavy battery, one bigger than some medium-range BEV‘s batteries. We’re talking on the order of 1000 lbs. As an estimate, we can take the 454kg ~75kWh 4680 battery pack weight of the Model Y battery and figure that at about 2/3rds the size, the Range Extender will come in at 300kg or 660lbs. Or more likely around 700lbs, if you consider the interface, packing challenges, safety, ruggedness, and efficiencies of a smaller pack.
Remember, Tesla will have to build this 700lb high-density/inertia object to not come flying through the cabin in a front-facing collision. It will also affect the performance of the vehicle in the same way that putting 4 more people in the cab.
How much does the Tesla Cybertruck Range Extender Cost?
Since Tesla didn’t talk about it at the event and it doesn’t have a sticker price on the customer-facing website, we can’t be certain. However, in the website source code, the following was found:
$16,000 seems like a bit of a premium on what an external 47kWh battery would cost. Assuming Tesla has hit the $100/kWh on the 4680 cell level, that’s a cost of $4700 and another $11K for packaging, production, and a fat margin.
That price could change and hopefully come down as the scale increases and would probably be a lot more popular with towing Cybertruck owners at under $10K.
Bigger questions
So now that we can guess the size specs and price of the Cybertruck Range Extender, we can think about what it means for the vehicle.
At close to 700lbs, this isn’t something that 1 or 2 people can just install themselves. It is going to take either a hydraulic jack/forklift type of installation or a more permanent fixture that would be installed at the factory. It will also either need to have its own BMS and cooling system or tap into the Cybertruck’s heating/cooling liquids. So what I’m saying is that the interface might not just be a big DC plug.
Range Extender as a Powerwall?
In a perfect world, you could leave your Tesla Range Extender in your garage and it would act like a 3-pack of 14kWh Tesla Powerwalls, saving you from power outages and maybe earning some grid-shaving money from day to day.
Then when it was time to tow the boat up to the mountains or go on a cross-country vacation in the cold, you could “throw” it in your Cybertruck bed and use it as extra range and then as a Powerwall for the lake house.
Range Extender battery swap?
Tesla had a Model S battery swap station in California in 2015 that would allow a new battery to be installed quicker than a gas fill-up. It never went live because, in Tesla’s words, they saw that charging was getting so quick that it wouldn’t need the complexities of a battery swap soon. Additionally, not all batteries are the same, and older batteries aren’t worth nearly as much as new ones so people could be losing money on the value of their car on a swap.
The Chinese manufacturer Nio is the only current company offering a significant battery swap option for EVs.
However, if the Cybertruck becomes as popular as it initially seems, maybe it makes sense for Tesla to run some range extender battery swap stations. A quick stop with a forklift could add 130 miles of range in a few minutes. Maybe multiple batteries could be added at the same time? Put these at the base of ski mountains and the outskirts of deserts?
Or more realistically, instead of buying a Tesla Range Extender, rent one for that week’s vacation to the mountains for a fraction of the cost. These could be picked up and dropped off at Tesla stores or 3rd party outlets. Maybe a super high-power automated battery swap station like Gogoro. Maybe it is manned by super strong Tesla Optimus robots (lol).
More Range Extender options
If it is a bi-directional interface (and how else would you charge it?) it could also be used to DC fast charge other things…like the Cyberquad! Seriously though Cybertruck owners could DC fast charge electric ATVs, boats, and motorcycles a lot faster than the 9kW Level 2 power that the Nema 14-50 outlet would provide.
With Tesla’s range extender interface, one could also see the company offering different battery sizes. Maybe a 50-mile option that could be carried by a tow truck driver. Or a longer range 250-mile option? 500 miles?
Or solar? We know Tesla plans to put a solar tonneau cover into production so this could be the interface there. While this will be a microscopic amount of power at any given time, it will add thousands of miles of range over the life of the vehicle. Just don’t expect to drive on solar like a Solar Race car.
Even better, why limit it to battery packs? What if Tesla offered a 1000-mile hydrogen or *gasp* gasoline generator alternative for those way out in the sticks? Yes, I know very unlikely that it would get Elon Musk’s approval but maybe if Tesla opens the connector to 3rd parties, it wouldn’t be rocket science to deliver bespoke power options.
I can already imagine someone doing a cross-country Cannonball run with the Cybertruck where it doesn’t ever need to stop. On FSD? Elon hook us up.
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EV and battery supply chain research specialists Benchmark Mineral Intelligence reports that 2.0 million electric vehicles were sold globally in November 2025, bringing global EV sales to 18.5 million units year-to-date. That’s a 21% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Europe was the clear growth leader in November, while North America continued to lag following the expiration of US EV tax credits. China, meanwhile, remains the world’s largest EV market by a wide margin.
Europe leads global growth
Europe’s EV market jumped 36% year-over-year in November 2025, with BEV sales up 35% and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales rising 39%. That brings Europe’s total EV sales to 3.8 million units for the year so far, up 33% compared to January–November 2024.
France finally returned to year-to-date growth in November, edging up 1% after spending most of 2025 in the red following earlier subsidy cuts. The rebound was led by OEMs such as the Volkswagen Group and Renault, a wider selection of EV models, and France’s “leasing social” program, aimed at helping lower-income households switch to EVs.
Italy also posted a standout month, logging record EV sales of just under 25,000 units in November. The surge followed the launch of a new incentive program designed to replace older ICE vehicles. The program earmarks €597.3 million (about $700 million) in funding for the replacement of around 39,000 gas cars.
The UK expanded access to its full £3,750 ($4,400) EV subsidy by adding five more eligible models: the Nissan Leaf (built in Sunderland, with deliveries starting in early 2026), the MINI Countryman, Renault 4, Renault 5, and Alpine A290.
US market slows after federal tax credit’s premature death
In North America, EV sales in the US did tick up month-over-month in November, following a sharp October drop after federal tax credits expired on September 30, 2025. Brands including Kia (up 30%), Hyundai (up 20%), Honda (up 11%), and Subaru (232 Solterra sales versus just 13 the month before) all saw gains, but overall volumes remain below levels when the federal tax credit was still available.
Policy changes aren’t helping. In early December, Trump formally “reset” US Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, lowering the required fleetwide average to about 34.5 mpg by 2031. That’s a steep drop from the roughly 50.4 mpg target under the previous rule. Automakers can now meet the standard largely through gas vehicles, reducing pressure to scale BEVs and PHEVs.
Those loosened rules are already reflected in investment decisions, such as Stellantis’ $13 billion plan to expand US production by 50%, with a heavy focus on ICE vehicles. Earlier this year, Trump’s big bill set fines for missing CAFE targets to $0, further weakening the incentive for OEMs to electrify.
That’s some foolish policymaking, considering the world reached peak gas car sales in 2017. The US under Trump will be left behind, just as it will be with its attempts to revive the coal industry.
China still dominates, exports surge
China remains the backbone of global EV sales, even as growth slows. The Chinese market grew 3% year-over-year and 4% month-over-month in November. Year-to-date, EV sales in China are up 19%, with 11.6 million units sold.
One of the biggest headlines out of China is exports. BYD reported a record 131,935 EV exports in November, blowing past its previous high of around 90,000 units set in June. BYD sales in Europe have jumped more than fourfold this year to around 200,000 vehicles, doubled in Southeast Asia, and climbed by more than 50% in South America.
Global snapshot
Global EV sales from January to November 2025 vs January to November 2024, YTD %:
- Global: 18.5 million, +21%
- China: 11.6 million, +19%
- Europe: 3.8 million, +33%
- North America: 1.7 million, -1%
- Rest of World: 1.5 million, +48%
The takeaway: EV demand continues to grow worldwide, but policy support – or the lack thereof – is increasingly shaping where this growth shows up.
“Overall, EV demand remains resilient, supported by expanding model ranges and sustained policy incentives worldwide,” said Rho Motion data manager Charles Lester.
Read more: EV sales *still* have not fallen, cooled, slowed or slumped. Media is lying to you.
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The Elexio is Hyundai’s first electric SUV custom-tailored for the Chinese market, but now it’s headed overseas.
Hyundai is bringing the Elexio electric SUV overseas
Hyundai’s midsize electric SUV was spotted on a carrier truck in Melbourne, Australia, alongside a few of its other vehicles.
Although the Elexio is built by Hyundai’s joint venture with BAIC Motor, Beijing-Hyundai, “tailor-made for Chinese consumers,” we had a feeling it would be sold overseas.
A few months ago, Don Romano, CEO of Hyundai Australia, hinted that the midsize electric SUV could arrive in The Land Down Under. Romano told journalists during an IONIQ 9 launch event that the Elexio’s launch in Australia was “under evaluation,” calling it “a promising vehicle.”
Hyundai confirmed the rumors shortly after, saying the new midsize electric SUV would launch in Australia in early 2026.
According to CarsGuide, the Elexio was caught on a car carrier in Melbourne on Wednesday morning ahead of its official launch.
Powered by an 88.1 kWh battery, the Elexio delivers up to nearly 450 miles (722 km) CLTC range. It’s based on the E-GMP platform, which underpins all IONIQ models and Kia’s EV lineup, with single and dual-motor (AWD) powertrain options. The electric SUV can also recharge from 30% to 80% in about 27 minutes.
The interior is packed with advanced Chinese tech, including Huawei’s advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip that powers the massive 27″ 4K widescreen display.
The Elexio is 4,615 mm long, 1,875 mm wide, and 1,698 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, which is a bit shorter than the Tesla Model Y. It’s closer in size to the BYD Yuan Plus, sold overseas as the Atto 3.
Hyundai’s midsize electric SUV is expected to compete with some of Australia’s top-selling EVs, including the Tesla Model Y and Geely EX5.
Prices have yet to be announced, but given the IONIQ 5 starts at $76,200 (AUD), before on-road costs, the Elexio should be slightly cheaper.
In China, the Elexio is available in three trims: Fun, Smart, or Tech, with pre-sale prices starting at RMB 119,800 ($16,900).
Although the electric SUV is launching in Australia and possibly other overseas markets like New Zealand, it’s not expected to be a true global vehicle. Hyundai designed it specifically for Chinese buyers, leveraging local tech and design elements.
For those in the US, if you’re looking for a midsize electric SUV, the IONIQ 5 is worth a look with 300+ miles of range, fast charging, and a spacious, tech-filled interior. With leases starting at just $189 a month, the IONIQ 5 is cheaper than most gas-powered cars in its class. You can use our link to find the Hyundai IONIQ 5 models closest to you.
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Iron-sodium battery makers Inlyte Energy just crossed an important line from lab to grid reality. The company has completed a factory acceptance test of its first field-ready iron-sodium battery energy storage system with reps from a major US utility in attendance.
Iron-sodium battery storage
The test took place at Inlyte’s facility near Derby in the UK, and was witnessed by representatives from Southern Company, one of the largest electric utilities in the US. The goal was to prove the performance and integration readiness of the whole system, which combines sodium metal chloride battery cells with inverters and control electronics. By Inlyte’s account, the system performed as expected and is ready for field deployment.
The energy storage market is growing fast, and utilities are looking beyond lithium‑ion. Iron-sodium battery storage systems are emerging as a compelling alternative to lithium-ion batteries for grid-scale use, as they rely on abundant, low-cost materials and offer strong safety and long-duration performance.
While lithium-ion batteries excel at fast response and short-to-medium-duration storage, iron-sodium systems are better suited for multi-hour to multi-day grid applications where cost, thermal stability, and long service life matter more than energy density.
The global energy storage market is projected to grow from approximately $70 billion in 2025 to over $150 billion by 2030. The US Department of Energy estimates the grid will need more than 225 gigawatts of long‑duration energy storage by 2050.
Inlyte is betting that iron‑sodium batteries can help fill that gap. The system tested in the UK utilizes what the company claims are the world’s largest sodium metal chloride battery cells and modules ever built, each capable of storing more than 300 kilowatt-hours of energy. The chemistry is designed to be lower-cost, safer, and longer-lasting than lithium-ion – key traits for grid-scale storage.
During the factory test, Inlyte’s battery system hit 83% round‑trip efficiency, including auxiliary loads. That puts it in the same range as high-performance lithium-ion systems and well above the roughly 40% to 70% efficiency typical of many other long-duration energy storage technologies. Southern Company’s R&D team observed the test in person, a step that helps clear the way for real‑world deployment.
The commercial plan
Next up: the field. Inlyte says its first energy storage systems will be installed at Southern Company’s Energy Storage Test Site in Wilsonville, Alabama, in early 2026. Those deployments will allow the utility to study how the iron‑sodium batteries perform under real grid conditions.
With technical readiness now demonstrated, Inlyte is turning its focus to US manufacturing. The company plans to finalize a site for its first domestic factory in 2026. To help speed that process, Inlyte has partnered with HORIEN Salt Battery Solutions, the world’s largest producer of sodium metal chloride batteries. HORIEN brings over 25 years of commercial experience across applications like critical power, remote industrial sites, and battery energy storage.
The plan is to combine HORIEN’s manufacturing know‑how with Inlyte’s system integration work to bring sodium‑based grid batteries to the US market. If all goes according to plan, Inlyte expects commercial deliveries of domestically produced systems to begin in 2027.
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