When Tesla launched the Cybertruck in 2023, many expected it to be packed with futuristic features. Service manuals even hinted at hidden hardware for wireless charging, sparking hope that the truck would one day ditch the cable. But this week, Tesla confirmed the Cybertruck will never get the feature and the reason is surprisingly simple.
Tesla’s Cybertruck lead engineer, Wes Morrill, broke it down in a Discord chat with owners.
“Wireless charging for something as far off the ground as the CT is silly,” Morrill explained, pointing to the physics problem.
Here’s the issue: wireless charging uses inductive coils, one in the vehicle and one in the ground. They have to be tightly aligned to be efficient. If the gap is too big, you waste energy and slow down charging speeds. Even though the Cybertruck’s adaptive air suspension can squat to about eight inches off the ground, that’s still way too tall for reliable wireless charging. A bigger, taller charging pad could solve the distance problem, but that would make installation bulky and awkward.
This decision closes the door on one of the most anticipated convenience features for the Cybertruck. For owners, it means the familiar plug-in routine isn’t going away anytime soon. While cables may not feel futuristic, they remain the fastest and most efficient way to move serious amounts of energy into a battery pack the size of the Cybertruck’s.
That doesn’t mean Tesla has abandoned the idea entirely. Reports suggest Tesla is testing wireless charging with the latest Model X refresh, though there’s no official mention of it in the manuals. And Tesla has promised the upcoming Cybercab — the robotaxi it teased for later this decade — will come equipped with wireless charging as standard. That makes sense for a fleet vehicle, where cars need to charge themselves between rides without human help.
Meanwhile, competitors are pushing forward. Porsche just announced that its upcoming electric Cayenne will launch with optional wireless charging as soon as next year. The German brand has been experimenting with high-power inductive systems capable of charging at rates similar to today’s home wall boxes, closing the gap on efficiency and making it practical for daily use. If they deliver, Porsche could claim bragging rights as the first to bring convenient, reliable wireless charging to the mainstream luxury EV market.
Source: DriveTesla