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Tesla Cybertruck production has arrived: Here’s how it compares to its 2019 prototype
The Tesla Cybertruck production specs are here, and they are quite a bit different from the figures that were announced for the vehicle back in late 2019. From the size of the Cybertruck’s bed to its dimensions and range, the changes that were implemented on the pickup truck over the years are quite notable.
Whether or not these changes are ultimately for the better would be up for consumers to decide, of course. But for reference, here is a quick comparison of how the production Tesla Cybertruck compares to its hulking original prototype from 2019 — the prototype which, in a lot of ways, caused the auto industry to take a second look at Tesla’s sanity.
Dimensions
The original Cybertruck prototype from 2019 was a hulking steel beast that was announced with a length of 231.7 inches, a width of 79.8 inches, and a height of 75 inches. The production Cybertruck, as per Tesla’s official page for the vehicle, now has an overall length of 223.7 inches, a width of 86.6 inches with the mirrors folded, and an overall height of 70.5 inches.
Payload
Being a pickup truck, it is pertinent for the Cybertruck to have a decent payload capacity. The original prototype from 2019 was listed with a payload capacity of 3,500 pounds. During the Cybertruck delivery event, Elon Musk noted that the vehicle now features a payload capacity of 2,500 pounds. Musk did not, however, clarify if the 2,500-pound payload capacity was standard for all the Cybertruck’s variants.
Range
Range is among the production Cybertruck’s most notable areas of complaints from the EV community. During its 2019 debut, Tesla announced that the Cybertruck will have a range of 250+ miles for the RWD version, 300+ miles for the Dual Motor AWD version, and 500+ miles for the Tri-Motor variant. The production Cybertruck listed in Tesla’s updated website with a range of 250 miles for the RWD variant, 340 miles for the Dual Motor version, and 320 miles for the top-tier “Cyberbeast.”
Tesla did list a range extender option for the Cybertruck Dual Motor and the Cyberbeast. With the range extender, the Dual Motor could have a range of 470+ miles, and the Cyberbeast will have a range of 440+ miles. Overall, Tesla definitely missed its target with the Cyberbeast’s range, but the company did hit its target for the Dual Motor and RWD variants.
Towing
Back in 2019, the original Cybertruck’s RWD variant was listed with a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds, the Dual Motor was listed with a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds, and the Tri-Motor was listed with a towing capacity of 14,000 pounds. The production Cybertruck is currently listed with a towing capacity of 7,500 for its RWD version, and 11,000 pounds for both the Dual Motor and Cyberbeast trims.
Price
Tesla shocked attendees of the Cybertruck’s 2019 unveiling event when it announced that the base RWD version of the all-electric pickup truck will start at $39,990. At the time, the Dual Motor was listed at $49,990, and the Tri-Motor variant was listed with a price of 69,990. The production Cybertruck, as per Tesla’s configurator today, costs $60,990 for its RWD version, $79,990 for its Dual Motor variant, and $99,990 for its top-tier Cyberbeast trim.
Performance
During its 2019 unveiling, the original Cybertruck prototype was announced with a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds for its RWD version, 4.5 seconds for its Dual Motor variant, and 2.9 seconds for its Tri-Motor trim. Top speed was also listed at 110 mph for the Cybertruck RWD, 120 mph for the Cybertruck Dual Motor, and 130 mph for the Cybertruck Tri-Motor.
Today, the production Cybertruck is listed with a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds for its RWD version, 4.1 seconds for the Dual Motor variant, and 2.6 seconds for the Cyberbeast. The top speed for the production Cybertruck Dual Motor is now listed at 112 mph, and the Cyberbeast is listed with a 130 mph top speed.
Storage
Back in 2019, the original Tesla Cybertruck was announced with 100 cubic feet of exterior storage. Its bed was also 6.5 feet in length. During the recently-held Cybertruck delivery event, Elon Musk noted that the all-electric pickup truck now features a bed that’s 6 feet long and 4 feet wide. Tesla’s official page for the Cybertruck also mentions that the vehicle features “67 cubic feet of lockable storage.”
Tesla has noted that the Cybertruck experienced changes as it headed towards production. The vehicle’s size has definitely been affected, and so has the pickup truck’s storage capacity. It would now be quite interesting to see how the Tesla Cybertruck fares in the market as it competes against popular combustion-powered trucks and electric pickups like the Rivian R1T and the Ford F-150 Lightning.
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News
Tesla Cybercab spotted with interesting charging solution, stimulating discussion
The port is located in the rear of the vehicle and features a manual door and latch for plug-in, and the video shows an employee connecting to a Tesla Supercharger.
Tesla Cybercab units are being tested publicly on roads throughout various areas of the United States, and a recent sighting of the vehicle’s charging port has certainly stimulated some discussions throughout the community.
The Cybercab is geared toward being a fully-autonomous vehicle, void of a steering wheel or pedals, only operating with the use of the Full Self-Driving suite. Everything from the driving itself to the charging to the cleaning is intended to be operated autonomously.
But a recent sighting of the vehicle has incited some speculation as to whether the vehicle might have some manual features, which would make sense, but let’s take a look:
🚨 Tesla Cybercab charging port is in the rear of the vehicle!
Here’s a great look at plugging it in!!
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) January 29, 2026
The port is located in the rear of the vehicle and features a manual door and latch for plug-in, and the video shows an employee connecting to a Tesla Supercharger.
Now, it is important to remember these are prototype vehicles, and not the final product. Additionally, Tesla has said it plans to introduce wireless induction charging in the future, but it is not currently available, so these units need to have some ability to charge.
However, there are some arguments for a charging system like this, especially as the operation of the Cybercab begins after production starts, which is scheduled for April.
Wireless for Operation, Wired for Downtime
It seems ideal to use induction charging when the Cybercab is in operation. As it is for most Tesla owners taking roadtrips, Supercharging stops are only a few minutes long for the most part.
The Cybercab would benefit from more frequent Supercharging stops in between rides while it is operating a ride-sharing program.
Tesla wireless charging patent revealed ahead of Robotaxi unveiling event
However, when the vehicle rolls back to its hub for cleaning and maintenance, standard charging, where it is plugged into a charger of some kind, seems more ideal.
In the 45-minutes that the car is being cleaned and is having maintenance, it could be fully charged and ready for another full shift of rides, grabbing a few miles of range with induction charging when it’s out and about.
Induction Charging Challenges
Induction charging is still something that presents many challenges for companies that use it for anything, including things as trivial as charging cell phones.
While it is convenient, a lot of the charge is lost during heat transfer, which is something that is common with wireless charging solutions. Even in Teslas, the wireless charging mat present in its vehicles has been a common complaint among owners, so much so that the company recently included a feature to turn them off.
Production Timing and Potential Challenges
With Tesla planning to begin Cybercab production in April, the real challenge with the induction charging is whether the company can develop an effective wireless apparatus in that short time frame.
It has been in development for several years, but solving the issue with heat and energy loss is something that is not an easy task.
In the short-term, Tesla could utilize this port for normal Supercharging operation on the Cybercab. Eventually, it could be phased out as induction charging proves to be a more effective and convenient option.
News
Tesla confirms that it finally solved its 4680 battery’s dry cathode process
The suggests the company has finally resolved one of the most challenging aspects of its next-generation battery cells.
Tesla has confirmed that it is now producing both the anode and cathode of its 4680 battery cells using a dry-electrode process, marking a key breakthrough in a technology the company has been working to industrialize for years.
The update, disclosed in Tesla’s Q4 and FY 2025 update letter, suggests the company has finally resolved one of the most challenging aspects of its next-generation battery cells.
Dry cathode 4680 cells
In its Q4 and FY 2025 update letter, Tesla stated that it is now producing 4680 cells whose anode and cathode were produced during the dry electrode process. The confirmation addresses long-standing questions around whether Tesla could bring its dry cathode process into sustained production.
The disclosure was highlighted on X by Bonne Eggleston, Tesla’s Vice President of 4680 batteries, who wrote that “both electrodes use our dry process.”
Tesla first introduced the dry-electrode concept during its Battery Day presentation in 2020, pitching it as a way to simplify production, reduce factory footprint, lower costs, and improve energy density. While Tesla has been producing 4680 cells for some time, the company had previously relied on more conventional approaches for parts of the process, leading to questions about whether a full dry-electrode process could even be achieved.
4680 packs for Model Y
Tesla also revealed in its Q4 and FY 2025 Update Letter that it has begun producing battery packs for certain Model Y vehicles using its in-house 4680 cells. As per Tesla:
“We have begun to produce battery packs for certain Model Ys with our 4680 cells, unlocking an additional vector of supply to help navigate increasingly complex supply chain challenges caused by trade barriers and tariff risks.”
The timing is notable. With Tesla preparing to wind down Model S and Model X production, the Model Y and Model 3 are expected to account for an even larger share of the company’s vehicle output. Ensuring that the Model Y can be equipped with domestically produced 4680 battery packs gives Tesla greater flexibility to maintain production volumes in the United States, even as global battery supply chains face increasing complexity.
Elon Musk
Tesla Giga Texas to feature massive Optimus V4 production line
This suggests that while the first Optimus line will be set up in the Fremont Factory, the real ramp of Optimus’ production will happen in Giga Texas.
Tesla will build Optimus 4 in Giga Texas, and its production line will be massive. This was, at least, as per recent comments by CEO Elon Musk on social media platform X.
Optimus 4 production
In response to a post on X which expressed surprise that Optimus will be produced in California, Musk stated that “Optimus 4 will be built in Texas at much higher volume.” This suggests that while the first Optimus line will be set up in the Fremont Factory, and while the line itself will be capable of producing 1 million humanoid robots per year, the real ramp of Optimus’ production will happen in Giga Texas.
This was not the first time that Elon Musk shared his plans for Optimus’ production at Gigafactory Texas. During the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting, he stated that Giga Texas’ Optimus line will produce 10 million units of the humanoid robot per year. He did not, however, state at the time that Giga Texas would produce Optimus V4.
“So we’re going to launch on the fastest production ramp of any product of any large complex manufactured product ever, starting with building a one-million-unit production line in Fremont. And that’s Line one. And then a ten million unit per year production line here,” Musk stated.
How big Optimus could become
During Tesla’s Q4 and FY 2025 earnings call, Musk offered additional context on the potential of Optimus. While he stated that the ramp of Optimus’ production will be deliberate at first, the humanoid robot itself will have the potential to change the world.
“Optimus really will be a general-purpose robot that can learn by observing human behavior. You can demonstrate a task or verbally describe a task or show it a task. Even show it a video, it will be able to do that task. It’s going to be a very capable robot. I think long-term Optimus will have a very significant impact on the US GDP.
“It will actually move the needle on US GDP significantly. In conclusion, there are still many who doubt our ambitions for creating amazing abundance. We are confident it can be done, and we are making the right moves technologically to ensure that it does. Tesla, Inc. has never been a company to shy away from solving the hardest problems,” Musk stated.
Tesla Cybercab spotted with interesting charging solution, stimulating discussion
Tesla confirms that it finally solved its 4680 battery’s dry cathode process
