Turning an electric truck into a mobile coffee bar is both harder and easier than it might seem
1 hour ago
- Mobile coffee bars centered around electric trucks are growing in popularity.
- While they offer the power to run the operation, there are other challenges in setting them up.
- One enthusiast reveals the nitty gritty details of turning a Tesla Cybertruck and a Rivian R1T into an espresso bar.
The Rivian R1T and Tesla Cybertruck stand out as electric pickups that surpass conventional expectations. They transcend being merely eco-friendly rides; rather, they are designed to provide enhanced utility compared to everyday EVs. To some, this utility renders them ideal candidates for transforming into mobile coffee shops.
One part of the setup, power, is obvious. These trucks have more than enough battery capacity to handle the load of a mobile coffee shop. In fact, it’s part of the reason that MoonWake Coffee Roasters went with the Cybertruck. It provides 240-volt power, which enables the use of commercial coffee equipment. This is a great foundation, but more is required.
Read: What You’ll Look Like After Polishing A Cybertruck Into A Giant Mirror
The team also installed a sliding rail platform for the equipment to deploy from the bed without requiring lifting and moving. Additionally, the engineering includes plumbing, filtration, a pump, and a replaceable water supply. Much of this equipment is concealed beneath the espresso maker and under the main bed. The team has already conducted tests in various pop-up settings.
According to the owner of MoonWake, the Cybertruck is great because it allows them to get into and out of spaces that traditional food trucks or trailers might not be able to go. On top of that, it can’t hurt that the truck itself draws attention, and likely customers in the process.
The Rivian R1T has to go a different direction to become a coffee bar. It doesn’t supply 240v power but instead offers 110v. To that end, it’s better suited to lower-powered machines, nitro cold brew, and pour-over coffees. Like the Cybertruck though, clever storage plays a role. The Gear Tunnel is the perfect place to store a great deal of equipment.
For now, these trucks are exclusively dishing espresso in Austin, Texas, and the Bay Area of California. Give it time though and this concept may gain momentum. While the Cybertruck, and to a lesser degree, the R1T, may spark controversy, if these pickups make getting your coffee more accessible, then we’ll count it as a win.