Recent video reviews of the Tesla Cybertruck have shed light on the electric vehicle’s (EV) charging capabilities. Tesla’s head engineer Lars Moravy has indicated that the Cybertruck’s 123 kWh battery pack could potentially reach an 80% charge within 18 minutes. This rapid charging would require the use of high-powered charging stations that are yet to be widely available and seems to reference ideal conditions from a 10%-80% battery charge scenario.
Electric vehicles built on an 800V platform are no strangers to speedy charging. Hyundai, for example, has boasted some of the fastest charging rates on the market in the US, with charging speeds up to 868 miles per hour.
The Cybertruck represents Tesla’s initiative to enter the realm of fast-charging electric vehicles. However, initial user reports have suggested that the Cybertruck’s actual charging profile might not live up to expectations. Despite using fast 350 kW chargers, the Cybertruck’s charging performance has been somewhat lackluster, with considerable tapering off that results in charging speeds slower than both competitors and other Tesla models.
The underwhelming charging performance may be linked to its 4680 battery’s chemistry, which is similar to that used in the Model Y, presenting alike charging behavior. Interestingly, the Cybertruck utilizes a variant of these batteries known as ‘Cyber cells’, which are reported to have an up to 15% higher energy density and the potential for more efficient charging.
Tesla has been collecting real-world charging data from the Cybertruck and is working on enhancing its charging algorithms. This data analysis is set to resolve issues and increase the charging rate closer to their target laboratory specifications. Drew Baglino, Vice President of Powertrain at Tesla, has indicated that the company intends to address specific bugs through an over-the-air (OTA) software update. The update aims to add significant range to the Cybertruck in a short 15-minute charging span, signaling an improvement of up to 20% in its charging speeds and aligning it more competitively with other vehicles in this aspect.
Like many of Tesla’s new vehicle launches, the anticipation of OTA updates for improved performance is high. When it comes to achieving the hoped-for under 20-minute charging time for the Cybertruck, EV enthusiasts may expect further advancements in the future.
The efforts to refine the Cybertruck’s efficiency and charging capabilities reflect the broader industry trend of continually improving the functionality and user experience of electric vehicles through both hardware advancements and software updates. With EV technology rapidly evolving, Tesla appears committed to ensuring the Cybertruck is not left behind in the race towards the future of transportation.
