Following his Instagram revelation of cybertruck charging costs, David Nguyen ignites a debate.

In a recent video on Instagram, business owner David Nguyen filmed the process and price of charging his Tesla Cybertruck, triggering global debate online. With electric cars (EVs) gaining momentum, the efficiency of charging against the conventional fuel cost continues to be a trending topic. Nguyen’s experience unveiled the actual-day costs of running a high-performance electric truck, and many people wondered if EVs were going to be feasible for long-term use by consumers.

The Charging Process

Nguyen, who is an early user of the Cybertruck, started his trip with only 3% battery left. In order to charge his car completely, he connected it to a Tesla Supercharger in San Leandro, California. The charging took about 90 minutes, where the Cybertruck filled up 121 kWh of power, having a full battery.

At a Tesla Supercharger price of $0.61 per kWh in that area, the charge cost about $73 for a full charge. This fact made headlines among EV fans and doubters alike, sparking debates about the cost implications of a Cybertruck versus gasoline-powered trucks.

How Does It Compare to Gasoline Costs?

Several of the commenters on Nguyen’s posting equated the $73 cost of charging to the cost of filling up a full-size gas-powered pickup truck. By way of example, an old-fashioned pickup such as the Ford F-150, with a fuel efficiency of perhaps 15-20 miles per gallon, would take about 20 gallons for a similar range of almost 300 miles. At a typical gasoline price of $4 per gallon, the total would be about $80—just a little bit more than Nguyen paid for electricity.

But the discussion went beyond simple cost comparisons. A number of users noted that home charging is a lot less expensive, with the cost of electricity ranging from $0.10 to $0.30 per kWh by state. That means Cybertruck buyers who charge most of the time at home could have much reduced costs per charge, and the car would be more cost-effective in the long term.

Internet Reactions: Praise and Criticism

Nguyen’s video was soon viral, with social media users having a mixed reaction. Some were lauding the Cybertruck’s new technology, citing that even when Supercharger rates are higher, the price remains competitive with gasoline. “People forget that home charging is the real game-changer. If you’re paying peak Supercharger prices all the time, you’re doing it wrong,” a user said.

Others were less impressed, pointing out that the steep Supercharger fees reduce the price attractiveness of EVs. “EVs were going to cost less money, but at this rate it’s hardly even less expensive than gas! Where is the affordability?” another commenter had to say.

A few users also raised concerns about the long charging time, with some stating that waiting 90 minutes to charge a vehicle is inconvenient compared to a quick five-minute gas station stop. However, Tesla fans countered that most owners don’t charge from nearly empty to 100% in one session and that long road trips are the exception rather than the norm.

The Bigger Picture: Is the Cybertruck Still a Value Proposition?

In spite of the backlash, Cybertruck is still an appealing choice for someone planning to make the switch to electric cars. Home charging cost, along with tax rebates and reduced maintenance, still makes Cybertruck an affordable option in the long run. In contrast to gasoline trucks, EVs don’t need oil changes, have less moving parts, and tend to experience less wear and tear on components such as brakes through regenerative braking.

Still, the argument around public charging rates points to one key element in EV takeup. Though Tesla Superchargers are an excellent solution for high-speed road tripping, the cost model thereof can result in more frequent utilization being higher than charging at home. This becomes a problem for those without the option of charging at home, like apartment or city-based individuals who are limited to using public charging infrastructure.

Future Thinking: The Development of EV Infrastructure

Tesla and other manufacturers continue to strive for enhanced charging infrastructure and cost affordability. Tesla’s future plans, including opening up Superchargers to non-Tesla owners and using dynamic pricing to push charging during off-peak times, could work to reduce fear of expense.

Additionally, as cleaner sources of energy become increasingly common, electricity costs could stabilize or even drop, bringing the cost of EV charging down. Numerous states are also investing in public charging infrastructure expansion, which has the potential to balance demand and supply and reduce costs in the long run.

Final Thoughts

David Nguyen’s gone-viral Cybertruck charging clip has re-fueled conversations around the usefulness and cost of EVs, especially for performance electric trucks. Sure, that $73 Supercharger charge looks like a lot, but in the grand scheme of things, Cybertruck drivers who charge mainly at home still save big relative to gasoline-fueled trucks.

As the EV market advances, considerations such as charging infrastructure, energy costs, and vehicle efficiency will keep playing a role in the cost-effectiveness of electric trucks. In the meantime, Nguyen’s video is a reminder that although the transportation future is electric, the path to affordability and convenience has yet to be perfectly paved.