Photo: @itskyleconner via X
Tesla Cybertruck owners report that the 2024.20.7 software update significantly improved the charging curve. However, to fully benefit, the truck needs to be charged at an 800-volt terminal. This suggests that Tesla will soon deploy 800-volt capability to Supercharger V4 stations.
Although the Cybertruck was easily the most anticipated new vehicle in a generation, people have considered some of the truck's features underwhelming. The outlandish pickup truck started deliveries with a significantly higher price than the one promised in 2019 while offering downgraded specifications. Range, most notably, has disappointed almost everyone. Instead of the promised 500 miles (805 km) for the tri-motor Cyberbeast, it only goes 320 miles (515 km). Even with a ridiculous battery range extender, the Cyberbeast's range peaks at 440 miles (708 km).
However, new owners soon discovered that not only did the Cybertruck disappoint in range, but it also needed too much time to charge the battery. This makes road-tripping in a Cybertruck an awkward experience, with a lot of time wasted at charging stations. Many thought the problem was Tesla's lack of 800-volt chargers, considering that the Cybertruck sports an 800-volt architecture. However, once owners figured out how to charge the Cybertruck at third-party stations, they discovered that feeding higher voltage would not reduce the charging time.
In April, Tesla publicly acknowledged Tesla's lackluster charging performance and promised to fix it with (what else?) an over-the-air software update. Drew Baglino, then still Tesla's SVP for Powertrain and Energy, was very specific about the improvement, saying that the update would unlock up to 154 miles (248 km) recovered in 15 minutes of charging. Currently, the Cybertruck specifications promise 128 miles (206 km) added in 15 minutes. That would make a 20% improvement in charging performance after the software update.
However, people hoping this would happen soon were in for another disappointment. When asked when the update would roll out, Cybertruck lead engineer Wes Morrill replied mid-June that it would be "coming soon." He did not offer other details, pointing to Baglino's April update.
Fast forward two weeks and the promised fix is rolling out to the Cybertruck fleet with the software update 2024.20.7. The release notes are terse but conclusive, mentioning "various changes to improve your vehicle's DC fast charging performance." The same software version says nothing about charging when installed on other vehicles. This crushed owners' hopes that these improvements would also benefit Tesla Model Ys with 4680 cells.
The first people who tested the update confirmed that improvements were noticeable, with the trucks able to sustain higher power for longer in the middle of the charging curve. With preconditioning and starting at a 10% state of charge, one Cybertruck owner added 147 miles (237 km) in the first 15 minutes of charging, which was very close to Baglino's estimates. However, this is not what the Cybertruck can do, as Kyle Conner from Out of Spec Studios revealed.
Kyle charged his Cybertruck with various 800-volt chargers, which peaked at over 325 kW. However, the Cybertruck screen showed a warning that the charge rate was limited by the charger's capability. This new feature introduced with the update will likely show up at every Supercharger, considering that they don't support the high voltage and power that the Cybertruck needs. This is not very flattering for Tesla, so people speculate that the EV maker is about to roll out 800-volt capability to its V4 chargers.
However, new owners soon discovered that not only did the Cybertruck disappoint in range, but it also needed too much time to charge the battery. This makes road-tripping in a Cybertruck an awkward experience, with a lot of time wasted at charging stations. Many thought the problem was Tesla's lack of 800-volt chargers, considering that the Cybertruck sports an 800-volt architecture. However, once owners figured out how to charge the Cybertruck at third-party stations, they discovered that feeding higher voltage would not reduce the charging time.
In April, Tesla publicly acknowledged Tesla's lackluster charging performance and promised to fix it with (what else?) an over-the-air software update. Drew Baglino, then still Tesla's SVP for Powertrain and Energy, was very specific about the improvement, saying that the update would unlock up to 154 miles (248 km) recovered in 15 minutes of charging. Currently, the Cybertruck specifications promise 128 miles (206 km) added in 15 minutes. That would make a 20% improvement in charging performance after the software update.
However, people hoping this would happen soon were in for another disappointment. When asked when the update would roll out, Cybertruck lead engineer Wes Morrill replied mid-June that it would be "coming soon." He did not offer other details, pointing to Baglino's April update.
Fast forward two weeks and the promised fix is rolling out to the Cybertruck fleet with the software update 2024.20.7. The release notes are terse but conclusive, mentioning "various changes to improve your vehicle's DC fast charging performance." The same software version says nothing about charging when installed on other vehicles. This crushed owners' hopes that these improvements would also benefit Tesla Model Ys with 4680 cells.
The first people who tested the update confirmed that improvements were noticeable, with the trucks able to sustain higher power for longer in the middle of the charging curve. With preconditioning and starting at a 10% state of charge, one Cybertruck owner added 147 miles (237 km) in the first 15 minutes of charging, which was very close to Baglino's estimates. However, this is not what the Cybertruck can do, as Kyle Conner from Out of Spec Studios revealed.
Kyle charged his Cybertruck with various 800-volt chargers, which peaked at over 325 kW. However, the Cybertruck screen showed a warning that the charge rate was limited by the charger's capability. This new feature introduced with the update will likely show up at every Supercharger, considering that they don't support the high voltage and power that the Cybertruck needs. This is not very flattering for Tesla, so people speculate that the EV maker is about to roll out 800-volt capability to its V4 chargers.
For those waiting, no updated Cybertruck charge curve video coming right away.
— Kyle Conner (@itskyleconner) July 3, 2024
Too many variables and too many different results tonight to know what’s expected behavior.
I can say I definitely see some improvement! How much improvement will have to be quantified in the coming… pic.twitter.com/XFtEAacbN4
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