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In a surprising twist, the Tesla Cybertruck demonstrated a less efficient towing range compared to its older counterpart, the Model X, while pulling the same trailer. This revelation was made by the luxury trailer maker Bowlus. Chief Executive Geneva Long shared the results in a LinkedIn update. The experiment utilized Bowlus’s Volterra trailer, a streamlined camper that resembles an Airstream. The trailer, equipped with a 17 kilowatt-hour LFP battery, solar panels, and the capability to issue an emergency charge to an EV, represents an ideal match for the Cybertruck, assuming buyers can stomach the $310,000 price tag.
Tesla Model X with a Bowlus Volterra trailer. Bowlus
The trial started with connecting the trailer to a Tesla Model X AWD and towing it along the highway, where EVs traditionally showcase decreased efficiency. Despite this, the Model X managed to retain a 235-mile range on a full charge, approximately 71% of the 330-mile range that Tesla advertises for the SUV. One would naturally expect the much more robust Cybertruck, with its 11,000 lbs towing capacity doubling that of the Model X, to surpass these figures.
Bowlus then paired the same trailer to a dual motor Cybertruck and put it to the test on a combination of highway and rural roads. This setup provided a nearly optimal towing scenario for the pickup. Unfortunately, the Cybertruck showed a disappointing range of just 160 miles, which correlates with some of the higher-end results noted in other towing tests for the vehicle.
Tesla Cybertruck tows a Bowlus Volterra. Bowlus
The core takeaway should not be misconstrued; electric vehicles are known to come up short in towing range, and this piece of information does not negate their other capabilities. However, this test accentuates that the Tesla Cybertruck, marketed as Tesla’s most robust vehicle, did not outperform the Model X, which has been around for nearly a decade. Irrespective of one’s stance on EVs, Tesla, or its increasingly controversial CEO, one point stands out: The Cybertruck may not embody the same revolutionary essence that the Model S did upon its debut.
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FAQs about Tesla Cybertruck and Model X Towing Capabilities
Q: How does the towing range of the Tesla Cybertruck compare to the Model X when pulling the same trailer?
A: According to the test by Bowlus, the Cybertruck has a worse towing range—160 miles compared to the Model X’s 235 miles with the same trailer.
Q: What trailer was used in the towing test?
A: Bowlus used their Volterra trailer, a luxury camper akin to an Airstream.
Q: Does the towing range of an EV like the Cybertruck reflect its overall performance?
A: No, the towing range is one aspect of an EV’s performance and does not detract from the vehicle’s capabilities in other areas.
Conclusion
The results of the towing tests conducted by luxury trailer company Bowlus bring to light the disparate range efficiencies between two of Tesla’s vehicles, specifically when tasked with towing. While the Model X surprised positively by retaining a substantial portion of its touted range, the Cybertruck’s performance fell short of expectations. This comparison serves to temper optimism regarding the Cybertruck’s prowess as a towing vehicle and suggests that, at least in this respect, it may not represent the leap forward for Tesla that some may have anticipated.
