https://electrek.co/2023/12/01/rivian-already-has-a-patent-on-teslas-cybertruck-range-extender/ Skip to main content Toggle main menu Go to the Electrek home page Switch site * * * * * * * * * * * * Toggle social menu * Toggle dark mode Toggle search form Search for: [ ] Submit * 9to5Mac * 9to5Google * 9to5Toys * DroneDJ * Space Explored * About * Privacy * Exclusives * Autos + Electric Vehicle Price Guide - best prices for dealers in the US + Tesla + Ford + GM + BMW + Jaguar + VW + Daimler/Mercedes + Hyundai + Nissan + Toyota * Alt. Transport + Ebikes + Electric Motorcycles + Bus + Hyperloop * Autonomy + Tesla Autopilot + Cruise Automation + Uber + Waymo * Energy + Green Energy + Climate * Tesla Shop * * * * * * * * * * * * * Toggle dark mode * Tesla * Tesla Cybertruck * Rivian Rivian already has a patent on Tesla's Cybertruck 'range extender' Avatar for Jameson Dow Jameson Dow | Dec 1 2023 - 1:10 pm PT 25 Comments rivian patent range extender auxiliary battery Tesla delivered the first Cybertrucks yesterday, and with that delivery event came the revelation that in order to get the range it promised, the Cybertruck needs a separate battery pack in the bed. But a similar battery pack system was already patented years ago, by one of Tesla's competitors in the electric pick-up space. [INS::INS] Tesla's Cybertruck website included a revelation about a feature that wasn't mentioned in its presentation: a "range extender," in the form of an additional battery pack in the truck bed which expands the truck's range. It's an interesting solution, and we don't know all the details of it yet. We don't know the cost, the weight, how it will be installed and uninstalled, or whether it even can be uninstalled. The battery pack is intended to be used "for very long trips or towing heavy things up mountains," according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk. It takes up about a third of the truck bed, as can be seen in a photo posted on Tesla's Cybertruck site. Tesla Range extender battery pack So, there's still room for cargo, just not the full 6 feet of bed length that Tesla says the Cybertruck has. But the fact that it was described as being used only "for very long trips or towing heavy things up mountains" suggests that it will be removable, since most people don't do that sort of thing every single day. Making it removable is actually a good solution, because it can lower prices, make packaging easier, and improve efficiency for vehicles that simply don't need a ridiculously enormous 470-mile battery - and most drivers don't need that. And if it is removable, well, there's already a patent on that. [US20190016231A1-20190117-D00002-e1701463633465] [US20190016231A1-20190117-D00004-e1701463596670] [US20190016231A1-20190117-D00005-e1701463615370] [US20190016231A1-20190117-D00006-e1701463642991] [US20190016231A1-20190117-D00007-e1701463624942] [US20190016231A1-20190117-D00012-e1701463605659] [US20190016231A1-20190117-D00001-e1701463588112] In 2019, electric truck maker Rivian filed a patent for a "removable auxiliary battery" that would fit into the front third-or-so of the truck bed. This patent was granted in 2020, so Rivian currently has a patent on this technology. Top comment by Jojo Liked by 2 people What's the weight of the CT extender? Can the owner take it on and off the truck on his/her own? What's the price of the CT extender? That's the big question. This is kinda like having an ebike that won't quite get you to work and back. So you have to buy a spare battery that costs half the original price of the bike. View all comments The patent is described as: An electric vehicle system for transporting human passengers or cargo includes an electric vehicle that includes a body, a plurality of wheels, a cargo area, an electric motor for propelling the electric vehicle, and a primary battery for providing electrical power to the electric motor for propelling the electric vehicle. An auxiliary battery module is attachable to the electric vehicle for providing electrical power to the electric motor via a first electrical connector at the auxiliary battery module and a second electrical connector at the electric vehicle that mates with the first electrical connector. The auxiliary battery module can be positioned in the cargo area while supplying power to the electric motor, and can be removable and reattachable from the electric vehicle. The auxiliary battery module includes an integrated cooling system for cooling itself during operation of the electric vehicle including a conduit therein for circulating coolant. We aren't patent lawyers here, but this sounds awfully similar to Tesla's "range extender." The obvious potential differences we can find are if the range extender doesn't have integrated cooling, which is unlikely, or if the range extender isn't removable, which doesn't seem to jive with the statement that it is only for long trips or with the marketing showing it as an optional add-on (if that were the case, why not just offer different battery sizes?). Tesla itself has many patents (and is still pursuing more of them), but has pledged not to "initiate patent lawsuits against anyone who, in good faith, wants to use its technology." It announced this in a 2014 blog post, and followed up by saying that it thinks several companies are using its patents. So next, the question is: is Tesla's solution different enough to avoid Rivian's patent protection? Has Tesla licensed the idea from Rivian, and we just haven't heard about it yet? Or will Rivian return Tesla's "good faith" and not initiate a patent lawsuit against Tesla, if it does feel like it has a good enough case to say that Tesla's range extender infringes on its patent? Add Electrek to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You're reading Electrek-- experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don't know where to start? 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Tesla Cybertruck Tesla Cybertruck Telsa Cybertruck will be released in 2021 with a... Rivian Author Avatar for Jameson Dow Jameson Dow Jameson has been driving electric vehicles since 2009, and has been writing about them and about clean energy for electrek.co since 2016. You can contact him at jamie@electrek.co --------------------------------------------------------------------- Jameson Dow's favorite gear [aptera-sol-header] Aptera Referral Code Use our Aptera Referral Code for $30 off a reservation for the upcoming Aptera electric vehicle.