Running boards aren’t standard on any current Tesla, and most owners never miss them. But for a few specific situations, they solve a real problem — and aftermarket options exist for nearly every model, from Model Y to Cybertruck.
The clearest case for them is Cybertruck, simply because of how tall it sits. Aftermarket boards like T Sportline’s AeroMaxx line ($849.95) bolt to the truck’s factory threaded inserts with no drilling, and are deliberately kept within the truck’s frontal area so they don’t stick out past the tires and hurt range or add wind noise. That aero-conscious design is the main tradeoff aftermarket brands are managing: a step wide enough to be useful without turning into a range or efficiency penalty.
Model X is the other model where boards get requested often, mostly by owners loading kids or gear through the rear doors regularly, where the higher step-in height is more noticeable than on Model 3 or Model Y. Model Y and Model 3 owners generally have a lower, easier step-in already, so boards there are more about convenience for kids, older passengers, or pets than a real accessibility gap.
Before you buy a set for any model, check two things. First, confirm the listing matches your exact generation, not just your model name — Tesla changes mounting points and body panels enough between redesigns that a board built for one generation won’t bolt to another. EVANNEX’s Model Y running boards are a good example: they fit 2020–2024 Model Y, but explicitly do not fit the redesigned 2025+ Model Y or the 2024+ redesigned Model 3, because those redesigns moved the attachment points. If you bought your Model Y or Model 3 new within the past year or two, you likely have the newer body, so don’t assume an older listing will fit.
Second, check installation and weight rating before you buy. Most current running-board kits bolt to factory mounting points with no drilling required, which keeps the job reversible and doesn’t void anything by modifying the body. Weight capacity varies by brand and product — EVANNEX rates its Model Y boards at 440 lbs, which covers stepping on and off but isn’t meant to be stood on for cargo loading. If you want boards specifically to help load roof cargo, look for a rating and design meant for that use, not just a stepping aid.
If none of that applies to you — you don’t have kids or pets getting in and out of the back seat, and you’re not hauling gear off a roof rack — you can safely skip this one. It’s a convenience accessory for a specific set of owners, not something that changes how the car drives or charges.
Photo by Paras Katwal.