November 2019. That's the month when we were all introduced to two things that would swiftly take the world by storm: The Cybertruck, and Covid 19. When the Cybertruck was first announced, the cyberpunk aesthetic that it wore so brutally on its steel sleeves was, we think, steeped in playful irony. It was a bit of rock n' roll cosplay, a Blade Runner fantasy that was very science-fiction, emphasis on the fiction.
Oh, how things change. It's been a wild ride since then, marked by a devastating global pandemic, steep inflation, rising global conflict, political turmoil, AI anxieties and ever-more normalized climate catastrophe. Suddenly, the cyber vibes don't feel so far from fantasy. At the Cybertruck's first delivery event, Elon Musk quipped that this was a great truck for the apocalypse, without a hint of irony in his voice. Perhaps to hammer the point home, Tesla showed us a video of the Cybertruck's steel doors repelling a tommy gun attack (and also hit it with a literal hammer).
Tesla says, "The future should look like the future". That's a loaded tag line, when a truck is inspired by images of dystopia. Many have pointed to the similarities between the Cybertruck and its long-lost stainless step-sibling, the Delorean. The Delorean is another pop culture icon, forever linked to the time-traveling cautionary tale that the future is what we make of it. Marty McFly, through a few stumbling missteps, returned from 1955 to find a dystopian nightmare had replaced his reality. These days, it can feel like the world is stumbling toward a similar outcome. That's heavy.
So what role does this truck play in the future we're collectively creating? Well, it's not all doom and gloom. Under this truck's thick skin there's real bright-minded innovation. It's the first car to feature a 48-volt architecture, which reduces cost, wiring, weight and losses from heat while enabling features like variable steer-by-wire. That's right, this truck has no physical connection between its steering and drive wheels. The result is steering that adapts to your speed, taking no more than 170º of lock to U-turn this monolith in the space of a svelte sedan (helped along by 4-wheel steering). It also includes a corrosive-resistant body, Tesla's proven powertrain, excellent software, and an industry-leading charging ecosystem. In what we believe may be another first, Tesla offers a "range extender" battery pack that, when installed in the bed, will boost the range to as much as 470 miles. If the Cybertruck was just a Model 3 dressed up like Robocop, it would be a great EV. Turns out, it's much more than that. the Cybertruck might be the best and most capable Tesla you can buy (which would also mean it's one of the best and most capable EVs you can buy).
Such is the dual nature of this "beast". It may be the best EV from one of the planet's leading EV companies, a serious cause for optimism; however its bulletproof doors and "bioweapon defense mode" scream cynicism about the world we live in, a fear-fueled expression of apocalypse-now. Here we have a company on a stated mission to stave-off climate collapse, suddenly offering you a bit of a bunker.
In the end we suppose this truck's cloudy steel is a reflection of how we see our own reality and future. Is being apocalypse-ready just a party trick as the party rages on? Or is this truck offering a means from which to rage against the dying of the light? How you view the world may affect how you view this Cybertruck. This Cybertruck may also affect how you view your world.
An EV's advertised range is just an estimate. Your mileage may vary, literally! It's important to understand the factors that can affect EV range, so you choose a car that has enough for your lifestyle and habits. Not choosing enough range for your unique needs can prove to be a frustrating and expensive mistake. If you're not sure how range works or how much you need, visit our section on identifying your EV needs.
Identify My EV Needs
Would you rather charge for 20 minutes, or an hour? That's essentially what charge rate comes down to, how much time you'll spend at the plug. Different EVs are capable of charging at different speeds, so it's important to understand what your car's "Peak" or "Max" Charge Rate is. Charge rate is measured in Kilowatts (kW) and in 2023, the average peak charge rate is about 150kW. The fastest EVs charge at 250kW and above. Plug-In Hybrids will charge much slower. What does this mean for actual charge times? Well there's a little more to it...
Learn more about Charge Speed
MPGe or Miles Per Gallon Equivalent, is a way to compare the relative efficiency of cars using different types of energy. MPGe says there is 33.7 kWh of energy in a single gallon of gas, so we'll use that equivelency to compare to cars using kWh of energy from gas, batteries, or both.
DC Fast Charging
DC Fast Charging allows you to use more-powerful direct-current charging stations.
Adjustable Regenerative Braking
Regenerative Braking is a feature in electrified vehicles that recuperates energy that would otherwise be lost when the vehicle slows down. When Regenerative Braking is in use, taking your foot off of the accelerator will cause the car to slow, similar to the sensation of engine braking.
One Pedal Drive
One Pedal Drive is a feature that allows your car to come to a complete stop without needing to touch the brake pedal.
Preconditioning
Batteries lose efficiency when they're too hot or too cold. Especially on cold days, your car may lose quite a bit of range to a cold battery. Preconditioning allows you to warm your battery (and often the car's cabin along with it) before you leave, so that your car will be more efficient and retain more range. Some cars will allow you to schedule a departure time based on your commuting schedule, and others will allow you to precondition anytime using the car's phone app.
Dual Charge PortsSome EVs will offer a charge port on both sides of the car, which can come in handy if a charge cable isn't long enough to reach one side or the other.
Vehicle-to-Load CapabilitySome EVs offer the ability to power external devices using your car's battery. This can be extremely useful, for example, if your home loses power, or when you're at the campsite or worksite and need to power tools and/or accessories.
Heat PumpA heat pump is a more efficient way to heat your EV's cabin. When temperatures drop, EVs equipped with a heat pump will generally perform better (retaining more range) than vehicles that use more traditional resistance heating. A heat pump may be optional on your EV.
Tow chargingThis is a pretty rare feature, but allows an EV to be charged by towing it. This is for emergency situations when you're out of juice but don't have access to power.
