New Tesla Cybertruck Details Emerge: Bi-Directional Charging, Powered Frunk and More

By Kevin Armstrong
More details emerge on the Cybertruck
More details emerge on the Cybertruck
Ryan Zohoury

Deliveries for the Tesla Cybertruck will begin within the next three months. Apparently, some people have been able to test drive the stainless steel beast and wanted to share it with the world.

Matthew Donegan-Ryan, an active X.com user following Cybertruck closely, shared a treasure trove of details he claims came from someone who test-drove the Cybertruck earlier in the week.

The truck's performance is said to rival the Plaid Model X, with several insiders confirming the performance Cybertruck will harness the same tri-motor setup as the Plaid. That would explain why Elon Musk posted that the Performance version of Cybertruck kicks ass. This is thrilling news for those who've felt the power of the Plaid Model X.

Bi-directional Charging & 240v Outlet

One of the most intriguing features is its bi-directional charging, meaning it can receive and give back energy. This is paired with the inclusion of a 240v outlet. The utility implications here are vast, potentially allowing the Cybertruck to act as a power bank during blackouts or camping.

When quizzed about the range, details remain tight-lipped. However, Donegan-Ryan speculates the battery size could lie between 120 and 140 kWh, with a range slightly below the 500 miles announced during the prototype unveiling.

Powered Frunk

The frunk is so spacious that a man standing at 5'7" can lie down in it. This detail alone showcases the immense storage capacity the Cybertruck offers. And if you're wondering about its design, Donegan-Ryan mentions the frunk's power open/close mechanism, suggesting that it will be utilized far more often than in other Tesla models.

Rear Glass and Separate Bluetooth Audio

One feature for adventurers is that the mid-gate glass opens, although there are no HVAC ports in the bed. Although not ideal, this design makes camping in the bed viable with climate control. For those with families, a new feature that connects audio from the rear screen entertainment to Bluetooth headphones promises to be a game changer.

No Bullet Proof Windows

The interiors also don't disappoint. The seats in the Cybertruck are described as broader and more plush than the Model X Plaid's. With the floor carpeted like other Teslas, there's a distinct touch of luxury. We did notice that on a recent bizarre video shared online. Notably, the windows aren't bulletproof but feature double-glazed quiet windows like the new Model 3 for a serene driving experience.

Tailgate Ramp Gets Dropped

However, contrary to some rumors, the tailgate has no built-in ramp. The suspension promises to be more comfortable than the S/X models, and the turning radius is reported to be outstanding. In a nod to its rugged appeal, the Cybertruck's clearance levels on the suspension show the actual height instead of the typical low/medium/high settings. For example, the high setting stands at 14.5 inches.

Spare Tire

Finally, a nod to traditional truck features: the Cybertruck will be equipped with a spare wheel, an array of tow and trailer modes, and a bed equipped with three outlets.

Delivery Event

One last tidbit: the Cybertruck delivery event has been set. However, when it is remains a mystery. Tesla holds its third-quarter earnings call on October 18, which would provide a perfect audience to make the delivery date public.

New Castings Spotted at Giga Texas Likely Intended for Tesla Cybercab

By Karan Singh
@JoeTegtmeyer

Tesla’s Giga Texas factory usually gives us the first site of Tesla’s upcoming products. We first saw the Cybertruck and Model Y castings here. With Giga Texas being one of Tesla’s largest factories, it’s logical that most products would originate here.

Tesla has also stated that it intends to manufacture the Cybercab, Semi, the next-generation vehicle, and Optimus at Giga Texas over the coming years. The affordable vehicle and Cybercab were originally intended to be manufactured at Giga Mexico, but the plans for that facility were waylaid by changes in economic policy.

Robotaxi Castings

These new castings were spotted by Joe Tegtmeyer, who regularly does drone flights of Giga Texas. Joe pointed out that these castings don’t look like the usual Model Y or Cybertruck castings usually seen outside Giga Texas.

With an eagle eye, @minusYCore on X also spotted some interesting text on the frames holding the castings up. In particular, the castings say “RTTX050” and “W68-RSF AS-CAST”. These could be interpreted as ‘Robotaxi Texas’ and ‘Rear SubFrame,’ as Tesla marks Cybertruck castings as “CTTX.” The as-cast portion indicates that these particular castings haven’t been trimmed yet, according to the X user.

The castings laid out.
The castings laid out.
@JoeTegtmeyer

The size and shape of these castings—combined with rumors that Tesla’s more affordable vehicle has been delayed—suggest that these castings are intended for the Cybercab.

These castings are much flatter and appear to be a different size than the castings found throughout Giga Texas, indicating that they are intended for an entirely different product.

It’s possible that these are the first castings used by Tesla to test their unboxed assembly process, which the Cybercab is expected to rely on. If you take a closer look at the video below, you’ll note that these new castings look very similar to the ones in the unboxed assembly video.

Interestingly, Tesla did say that they don’t intend to have the Cybercab available for customers before late 2026 or early 2027, but we’ll likely hear updated timelines as Tesla’s Q1 2025 Earnings Call tomorrow.

A more vertical look at the castings.
A more vertical look at the castings.
@JoeTegtmeyer

New Giga Presses

To top it all off, new parts for a Giga Press - the machine Tesla uses to make these castings - were also sighted in Texas. These machines are few and far between, and each one is highly specialized for the particular vehicle it produces. Seeing new parts coming in usually indicates that a new assembly line is under construction, or that changes are being made to an existing line to either expand it or update it.

There’s a lot happening and we will hopefully know more tomorrow evening.

New Giga Press parts
New Giga Press parts
@JoeTegtmeyer

PepsiCo Building Additional Tesla Semi Chargers

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

Tesla’s first large-scale partner for the Tesla Semi - PepsiCo - is building out another Semi Megacharger site per a recent filing found by MarcoRP. Building out these Semi charging sites is expensive due to their much higher power output when compared to Superchargers.

Name Change

Interestingly enough, Tesla appears to have shifted its terminology recently, now often referring to the Semi’s high-power charging solution as Tesla Semi Chargers instead of the previously common "Megachargers." Regardless of the name, these chargers are crucial for the Semi. They’re designed to deliver 1.2 megawatts of charging power capable of adding hundreds of miles of range in roughly 30 minutes.

Frito-Lay Site

The new site detailed in the recent filing will be located at a Frito-Lay production plant on Hageman Road in Bakersfield, California. Permits were filed just a couple of days ago for the installation of eight Tesla Semi Charger stalls along with their associated electrical equipment.

This facility adds to PepsiCo's existing network of chargers, supporting the Tesla Semis operating out of their Sacramento facility, and highlights Bakersfield as the next expansion of the Semi’s operational area. Notably, this new Frito-Lay charging site is strategically located just five miles (approx. 8 km) away from a massive future public charging complex Tesla is planning on Kelton Way.

Kelton Way Charging Complex

Tesla’s planned charging complex in Bakersfield, which is just down the road, will feature 72 Supercharger stalls, as well as 18 Semi charger stalls. According to pre-permits filed last month, this site will be fairly large and accessible to both the public and Tesla’s partners.

A rendering of the Kelton Way site - with the Semi Chargers on the outside, and the Covered Supercharger site in the center.
A rendering of the Kelton Way site - with the Semi Chargers on the outside, and the Covered Supercharger site in the center.
@MarcoRPi1 on X

Tesla plans to develop a vacant plot right off the interstate into a large charging hub, which is now the second major public Semi Charger site we’ve heard about. For now, these sites will remain rare, but we expect that Tesla and its partners will be happy to expand them out further as required.

Carson Semi Charger Site

These Bakersfield developments – both the private Frito-Lay site and the large public Kelton Way hub will help lay out the necssary infrastructure for the Tesla Semi, much like the early days of Tesla’s Superchargers. Since Semi cannot be charged at a Supercharger site (the MCS plug is notably different than NACS), these sites are a must-have.

Tesla's first publicly accessible Semi Charger site planned near the Port of Long Beach in Carson, California, was one of the first signs of these types of Semi Charger facilities being established - and like Kelton Way, it also includes amenities for truck drivers. Tesla is also considering what long, medium, and short-haul truckers need for their stays at these sites.

As Tesla works to ramp up production of the Semi itself, the parallel expansion of dedicated, high-power charging infrastructure by both Tesla and its key partners are essential to making electric heavy-duty trucking a reality.

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