Rumour | Tesla Cybertruck to skip 500-mile variant at launch with 350-mile quad-motor AWD model releasing first

Tesla has recently completed the first production unit of its much-awaited Cybertruck electric pickup truck at its Texas Gigafactory, but a new rumour has popped up that suggests the Cybertruck will only be offered with a 350-mile (563 km) battery pack — at least initially, that is. Bearded Tesla Guy posted on Twitter that he believes the Cybertruck will debut in a 350-mile variant because of confidential conversations with three insiders.

Tesla's Elon Musk has previously stated that the initial production run of the Cybertruck would be limited to the quad-motor AWD trim — a drivetrain that would actually make the 350-mile range figure quite respectable, considering the vehicle's weight and the inefficiency of quad-motor AWD.

Famously, the Cybertruck was supposed to deliver 500 miles of range in at least one trim, but it's looking more like the 500-mile Cybertruck will arrive at a later stage, and may take the shape of a single-motor RWD pickup instead.

When deliveries of the Cybertruck eventually start, Tesla's electric pickup will have to contend with the Rivian R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning, and the Chevrolet Silverado EV; the latter of which boasts an impressive 450-mile (724 km) EPA range rating. A quad-motor AWD Cybertruck with 350 miles of range makes plenty of sense as a first-edition — 350 miles is plenty of range, while the quad-motor setup should let Tesla put up a good show in both tough terrain and acceleration performance — lightning-quick acceleration has historically been a big selling point for Tesla.

Oddly enough, the Rivian R1T has followed a similar trajectory, hitting the market with a quad-motor variant during the first delivery phase and later becoming available as a cheaper, more efficient dual-motor AWD version.

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