Sometimes when a new EV comes out, you have to wait a while for the version you want or can afford. Often, it’s the top-of-the-line configurations that arrive first, with the biggest battery, all-wheel drive, and a hefty price tag. Such was the case with the Tesla Cybertruck. Tesla launched the Cyberbeast first at $99,990. Next came the dual-motor All-Wheel Drive variant, starting at $79,990.
Tesla said back in 2023 that we could expect a single-motor Cybertruck Rear-Wheel Drive in 2025, with an estimated starting price of $60,990, but that was later removed from its website. It appears that the cheaper Cybertruck is still in the works, and coming soon, as the EPA has listed it as available for a federal EV tax credit. It’s not a sure thing until Tesla says it is (and even then, the company is prone to delays), but it’s evidence that it is, in fact, happening this year.
Specs To Expect
Back in November 2023, when it held an event where it delivered the very first Cybertrucks to customers, Tesla published info about the rear-wheel drive variant. At the time, Tesla said the Rear-Wheel Drive trim would have a range of about 250 miles, a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds, and a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds. Obviously, those figures are each inferior to the specs for the more expensive trims, but it’ll also cost less. It’s also possible for those specs to have changed by the time the RWD is available to order.
For comparison, the All-Wheel Drive has 325 miles of range and 11,000 pounds of towing capacity, with a 4.1-second 0-60 time. The Cyberbeast has 301 miles of range, does 0-60 in 2.6 seconds, and also weighs 11,000 pounds.
About That Tax Credit
According to the EPA, the Cybertruck RWD will be eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax incentive. Interestingly, the EPA also lists the AWD as eligible, so long as it sneaks in under the $80,000 price cap, which means the customer would have to skip out on any options.
And, then there’s the question of whether the tax credit will exist under the next presidential administration. Donald Trump has plans to do away with the incentive, and Elon Musk doesn’t seem to mind. Perhaps the lower price, the upcoming optional range extender, and a superior charging network will be all the incentives the Cybertruck needs. Musk had better hope so, or else he could be facing a second year of declining sales.
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