Tesla Wants To Charge Reservation Holders An Extra $120,000 For 'Early' Delivery

Photo: Tesla

Tesla is offering Cybertruck reservation holders the opportunity to configure a limited-edition Foundation Series truck. The electric automaker will only produce 1,000 limited-edition pickups, starting at $120,000. The invitation will be appealing to those who want to get their hands on a Cybertruck fast. Despite live-streaming a delivery launch event, previous delays and a $1,000 voucher to order another Tesla have raised concerns about how quickly the Cybertruck will be produced.

Tesla’s Cybertruck Has Finally Arrived

The Foundation Series Cybertruck is likely a marked-up version of the tri-motor Cyberbeast trim level, InsideEVs reports. The top-of-the-line Cybertruck will typically start at $99,990, but there is still a lengthy wait for delivery. Foundation Series buyers in California and Texas could receive their vehicles as soon as the end of this month. Tesla is hoping to expand deliveries outside of those states sometime next year. The offer’s invitation email reads:

“As an early reservation holder, you are invited to order your Foundation Series Cybertruck, which is fully optioned and includes limited-edition laser-etched badging, premium accessories, charging equipment with Powershare home backup hardware, all-terrain tires, Full-Self Driving capability, and more.”

There certainly will be no shortage of reservation holders willing to pay to move up in line. The bigger question is if Tesla will ever reach the production capacity to satisfy demand. The signs are leaning towards no. The base rear-wheel-drive Cybertruck won’t hit the road until at least 2025. The automaker is handed out $1,000 vouchers to reservation holders to buy another Tesla while they wait. Things aren’t looking good.

The Foundation Series moniker is a not-so-subtle science fiction reference. Elon Musk is a known fan of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation novels and illustrates his view of the Cybertruck. The series’ premise is that the only way to save a galactic empire from collapse is to fight against its establishment. The Cybertruck is unlikely to be the savior of the automotive industry or civilization.