Tesla quietly pulls the plug on its cheapest Cybertruck model, the rear-wheel drive Long Range variant, after just five months on the market. The vehicle, which started at $69,990, has been removed from the company’s online configurator, leaving only the more expensive all-wheel drive and Cyberbeast trims for potential buyers.
The removal of the most affordable option means the entry price for a Cybertruck has now jumped to $79,990 for the all-wheel drive version. The high-performance Cyberbeast model starts at $114,990. Tesla did not provide an official statement or explanation for discontinuing the model.
The Long Range Cybertruck was launched in April of this year, but it arrived with a higher price tag than initially promised and with several key features removed. To hit its price point, Tesla eliminated the power tonneau cover, adaptive air suspension, a rear-seat touchscreen, the rear lightbar, and the 120V and 240V outlets in the truck bed. The single-motor RWD model also had a reduced towing capacity and lower payload rating compared to its AWD sibling.
The timing of its removal also coincides with the impending end of the federal EV tax credit for Cybertruck buyers, which is set to conclude at the end of the month. This effectively made the already compromised Long Range model an even less attractive financial proposition for consumers.
Industry analysts suggest the decision to scrap the model may be linked to overall weaker-than-expected sales for the controversial electric truck. A recent report from Cox Automotive, the parent company of Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader, indicates that Tesla sold only 4,306 Cybertrucks in the second quarter of the year. This figure represents a significant drop of more than 50 percent compared to sales during the same period last year.
The Cybertruck’s polarizing design and high starting price have been points of contention since its reveal. The removal of the most affordable variant narrows its market appeal further, positioning it firmly as a premium luxury item rather than a mass-market vehicle. For now, customers looking to acquire a Cybertruck will have to be prepared to spend a minimum of nearly eighty thousand dollars.
