X3 Better Vehicles & Drones

X3 Better Vehicles & Drones

Better Vehicles is a mod with multiple type of vehicle and stations modified available in Tier 3

by Acxdv1.2.3
111.9K
Downloads
3.3M
Views
December 15, 2020
Created
August 22, 2026
Updated

Description

No longer maintained

★ Use [Industrial Evolution](https://ficsit.app/mod/MkPlus) as a drop-in replacement for this mod ★

---

NOTE: USE MK1 WAGONS & DRONES WITH MK1 STATIONS, MK2 WITH MK2, ETC. (DON'T MIX THEM)
MULTIPLAYER MAY HAVE SOME ISSUES, THERE ARE GENERAL PROBLEMS WITH MULTIPLAYER IN THE GAME

<br />

CONTENTS

- 01 / DESCRIPTION
- 02 / VIDEOS
- 03 / INSTALLATION / USAGE
- 04 / WORKS GREAT WITH
- 05 / UPDATES
- 06 / KNOWN ISSUES
- 07 / QUESTIONS? BUGS? CONTACT ME VIA
- 08 / WANT TO SUPPORT ME? (DONATIONS)
- 09 / YOUTUBER / STREAMER?
- 10 / CREDITS
- 11 / SCREENSHOTS

Just search for the number with the slash to find your topic (Ctrl+F and "03 /" for example).
<br />

<hr />

01 / DESCRIPTION

Better Vehicles is a mod for starting very early with (improved) vehicles.<br />
The main idea was to build "cities" and transport the produced items between these cities, on roads and highways (see my other mod).<br />
You can open the vehicle menu with F1 while in the vehicle.<br />
Note: Belts will ALWAYS be more efficient than any vehicles, but for me vehicles for long distances are more realistic and more fun than 1,000 meter belts.

The Highlights of this mod are:
- Multiplayer-Support (needs some more tests, please give feedback)
- Start with Trucks and Trains at Tier / Milestone 3
- Drones with built in (rechargeable) batteries
- Electronic Trucks with built in (rechargeable) batteries
- Reduced build and power cost - it's more fun now to build vehicles instead of belts
- ~~Crash Prevention - autopiloted trucks will brake for eachother~~
- ~~Trucks can now brake on Ramps - no more driving too far because of the bad autopilot~~
- ~~Waypoints per Click - no pause needed (via F1 Menu and then middle click)~~
- ~~Waypoint Export/Import - share your path with multiple trucks, instead of capture all one by one (Waypoints can be edited in the export text)~~
- Camera arm with collision - no more clipping through walls with the camera)
- License Plate to name your trucks
- Camera Zoom by mouse wheel
- ~~Reduced Pickup Zone for Truckstation - no more loading the wrong trucks~~
- Reduced Clearance for Truckstation and Trainstation - you can build walls "into" the stations
- ~~Traffic-Stop, you can stop the AI Vehicles by placing a barrier on the road~~
- Trucks, Trains, Drones & Stations have multiple tiers (mk1 - mk3)

These are the buildables (all derived from the vanilla ones):

<br />
<hr />

<details>
<summary>X3-Trucks & X3-Truckstations (Click here)</summary>

X3-Truck Mk1
- Controls: Open menu with F1 while in vehicle (you can add waypoints with + / middleclick after closing the menu)
- Milestone: 3
- Capacity: 48 Slots
- Build-Cost: 3 Modular Frames, 30 Iron Plates, 20 Iron Rods, 20 Wires, 10 Cables, 3 Rotors
- Fuel: 25/s (vanilla: 75/s)
- Extra: No collision with other trucks, while autopiloted (because Satisfactory teleports trucks out of view and they like to get stucked in eachother)
- Extra 2: Camera Zoom (mouse wheel) with camera arm (no more clipping through walls)
- Extra 3: If the truck waits for 20-30s (random), it will drive and ignore all other trucks for 10s (looks ugly when the truck drives through other trucks, but this is to clear traffic jams)
- Extra 4: When importing Waypoints, the start point will be ramdomized (otherwise Satisfactory would teleport all vehicles to the same point, then they would stuck in eachother)
- Extra 5: Copy current coordinates from menu (this can help to find a specific point in the exported string)
- Extra 6: Exit-Offset moved to the left side (sorry british :D)
- Note: When autopiloted, there is no collision if the truck lands on the side or roof, in this case the truck will clip through the map, but there is a mechanism that will teleport the truck to the first waypoint if it falls too deep (< -30,000)

X3-Truck Mk2
- Milestone: 5
- Capacity: 96 Slots
- Build-Cost: 3 Heavy Modular Frames, 20 Reinfored Iron Plates, 25 Steel Pipes, 25 Copper Sheets, 20 Cables, 6 Motors
- Fuel: 50/s

X3-Truck Mk3
- Milestone: 7
- Capacity: 192 Slots
- Build-Cost: 6 Heavy Modular Frames, 20 Steel Beams, 30 Steel Pipes, 30 Copper Sheets, 30 Cables, 12 Motors
- Fuel: 100/s

X3-Truck V
- V like Ven... ahm no, V like Vanilla! For those who want vanilla prices, but better AI ;)
- Same as Mk1 but with vanilla build-cost, fuel consumption, capacity and unlockable at milestone 5 (like vanilla)

X3plorer
- Milestone: 3
- Build-Cost: 2 Modular Frames, 2 Reinfored Iron Plates, 20 Iron Rods, 15 Wires, 5 Cables, 2 Rotors
- Note: Just vanilla Xplorer (no better AI etc.)

X3-Truckstation Mk1
- Milestone: 3
- Capacity: 48 Slots
- Transfer-Speed: 120/m
- Build-Cost: 20 Concrete, 30 Iron Plates, 30 Iron Rods, 15 Cables, 5 Rotors
- Power-Cost: 4 (vanilla: 20)
- Extra: Reduced Clearance (you can build walls in/around the station, as seen in the showcase)
- Extra 2: Optimized DropZone, the loading starts only when the truck is STANDING, see it here: https://youtu.be/sjmRcAF_FBA (Note: The timing is not perfect, you may get +/-2 stacks sometimes)

X3-Truckstation Mk2
- Milestone: 5
- Capacity: 96 Slots
- Transfer-Speed: 240/m
- Build-Cost: 20 Concrete, 30 Reinfored Iron Plates, 30 Iron Rods, 20 Cables, 8 Motors
- Power-Cost: 8

X3-Truckstation Mk3
- Milestone: 7
- Capacity: 192 Slots
- Transfer-Speed: 480/m
- Build-Cost: 20 Concrete, 30 Steel Beams, 30 Steel Pipes, 25 Cables, 2 Computer, 16 Motors
- Power-Cost: 16

X3-Truckstation V
- V like Ven... ahm no, V like Vanilla! For those who want vanilla prices, but better AI ;)
- Same as Mk1 but with vanilla build-cost, power consumption, capacity and unlockable at milestone 5 (like vanilla)
</details>

<br />

<details>
<summary>Rechargeable X3-eTrucks & X3-eTruckstations (Click here)</summary>

X3-eTruck Mk1
- Electronic Truck with a built in battery with X3-Tech's Instant Recharge ™ Technology
- Milestone: 4
- Capacity: 48 Slots
- Build-Cost: 3 Modular Frames, 30 Iron Plates, 20 Iron Rods, 20 Wires, 20 Cables, 3 Rotors, 30 Sulfur
- Power: 10 MW/h, while the vehicle is not stationary (see "Truck Power Consumption Info" for details)
- Battery Capacity: 5 MW (precharged with 0.21 MW / 1.25 minutes travel time)

X3-eTruck Mk2
- Milestone: 6
- Capacity: 96 Slots
- Build-Cost: 3 Heavy Modular Frames, 20 Reinfored Iron Plates, 25 Steel Pipes, 25 Copper Sheets, 40 Cables, 6 Motors, 60 Sulfur
- Power: 20 MW/h, while the vehicle is not stationary (see "Truck Power Consumption Info" for details)
- Battery Capacity: 15 MW (precharged with 0.5 MW / 1.5 minutes travel time)

X3-eTruck Mk3
- Milestone: 8
- Capacity: 192 Slots
- Build-Cost: 6 Heavy Modular Frames, 20 Steel Beams, 30 Steel Pipes, 30 Copper Sheets, 60 Cables, 12 Motors, 120 Sulfur
- Power: 40 MW/h, while the vehicle is not stationary (see "Truck Power Consumption Info" for details)
- Battery Capacity: 40 MW (precharged with 1 MW / 2 minutes travel time)

X3-eTruckstation Mk1
- Milestone: 4
- Capacity: 48 Slots
- Transfer-Speed: 120/m
- Build-Cost: 20 Concrete, 30 Iron Plates, 30 Iron Rods, 30 Cables, 5 Rotors
- Power-Cost: 1 MW (idle)
- Recharge: 300 MW/h (Power Peak) [see "Truck Power Consumption Info" for details]
- Truck Power: 10 MW/h (Mk1)

X3-eTruckstation Mk2
- Milestone: 6
- Capacity: 96 Slots
- Transfer-Speed: 240/m
- Build-Cost: 20 Concrete, 30 Reinfored Iron Plates, 30 Iron Rods, 40 Cables, 8 Motors
- Power-Cost: 2 MW (idle)
- Recharge: 750 MW/h (Power Peak) [see "Truck Power Consumption Info" for details]
- Truck Power: 20 MW/h (Mk2)

X3-eTruckstation Mk3
- Milestone: 8
- Capacity: 192 Slots
- Transfer-Speed: 480/m
- Build-Cost: 20 Concrete, 30 Steel Beams, 30 Steel Pipes, 50 Cables, 2 Computer, 16 Motors
- Power-Cost: 4 MW (idle)
- Recharge: 1800 MW/h (Power Peak) [see "Truck Power Consumption Info" for details]
- Truck Power: 40 MW/h (Mk3)

Truck Power Consumption Info
While docked, the built in truck battery will be recharged with the maximum amount until the battery is full, or the truck is moving away.
For very fast recharging we use the new Instant Recharge ™ technology by X3-Tech.
Note: You need power storages to beat the high peaks!

Okay, here comes the math, maybe I did some mistakes, don't be shy to tell me ;)
First we calculate the trip consumption to the next station, so it's easier to calculate the rest... We take a 120 seconds trip:
((Truck Power consumption in MW) (trip time to next station in seconds)) / 60 / 60
Which is:
(10 MW / 60 / 60)
120s = ~0.3333 MW

So our truck consumes about 0.33 MW until it reaches the next station, the maximum output of the station (mk1) is 300 MW/h.
Now we want to know, how much our station can recharge per second:
(recharge rate in MWh) / 60 / 60
Which is:
300 / 60 / 60 = ~0.0833 MW

Okay, now how long does it take to recharge the consumed amount in seconds:
(trip consumption) / (recharge rate in MW per second)
Which is:
0.0833 MW / 0.3333 MW = ~4.0 seconds

So now we know: We have a MINIMUM wait time of 4 seconds on the next station, of course we need some buffer, because there can be traffic jams and so on.
</details>

<details>
<summary>SPOILER ALERT: CONSTANT battery charge calculation for trucks (Click here)</summary>

It's more fun to play around with the consumption and the power storage, but if you want the quick way:
The CONSTANT battery charge for the power storage (input) is 10 MWh, it's just the Truck Power consumption per hour ;)

</details>

<br />

<details>
<summary>X3-Storage Containers (Click here)</summary>

X3-Storage Container Mk1
- Milestone: 3
- Capacity: 48 Slots (vanilla: 24)
- Build-Cost: 20 Iron Plates, 20 Iron Rods
- Extra: Reduced Clearance (you can build them very close togheter and you can build walls on / "into" it, if the walls are built AFTER the container)

X3-Storage Container Mk1+ (double container)
- Milestone: 3
- Capacity: 96 Slots (vanilla: 48)
- Build-Cost: 40 Iron Plates, 40 Iron Rods
- Extra: Reduced Clearance (you can build them very close togheter and you can build walls on / "into" it, if the walls are built AFTER the container)

X3-Storage Container Mk2
- Milestone: 5
- Capacity: 96 Slots
- Build-Cost: 20 Reinfored Iron Plates, 20 Iron Rods

X3-Storage Container Mk2+ (double container)
- Milestone: 5
- Capacity: 192 Slots
- Build-Cost: 40 Reinfored Iron Plates, 40 Iron Rods

X3-Storage Container Mk3
- Milestone: 7
- Capacity: 192 Slots
- Build-Cost: 20 Steel Beams, 20 Steel Pipes

X3-Storage Container Mk3+ (double container)
- Milestone: 7
- Capacity: 384 Slots
- Build-Cost: 40 Steel Beams, 40 Steel Pipes
</details>

<br />

<details>
<summary>X3-Trains & X3-Trainstations (Click here)</summary>

X3-Railway
- Milestone: 3
- Build-Cost: 4 Iron Plates, 2 Iron Rods, 1 Cable

X3-Trainstation
- Milestone: 3
- Build-Cost: 50 Concrete, 60 Iron Plates, 60 Iron Rods, 10 Cables
- Power-Cost: 0.5 W (vanilla 50)
- Extra: Reduced Clearance (you can build walls in/around the station, as seen in the showcase)

X3-Trainstation Empty
- Milestone: 3
- Build-Cost: 25 Concrete, 10 Iron Plates, 10 Iron Rods, 2 Cables
- Extra: Reduced Clearance (you can build walls in/around the station, as seen in the showcase)

X3-Cargostation Mk1 / X3-Fluidstation Mk1
- Milestone: 3
- Capacity: 96 Slots / 4,800 m³ (vanilla 48 / 2,400 m³)
- Build-Cost: 50 Concrete, 60 Iron Plates, 60 Iron Rods, 30 Cables, 10 Rotors
- Power-Cost: 5 W (vanilla 50)
- Extra: Reduced Clearance (you can build walls in/around the station, as seen in the showcase)

X3-Cargostation Mk2 / X3-Fluidstation Mk2
- Milestone: 5
- Capacity: 192 Slots / 9,600 m³
- Build-Cost: 50 Concrete, 60 Reinfored Iron Plates, 60 Iron Rods, 40 Cables, 12 Motors
- Power-Cost: 10 W

X3-Cargostation Mk3 / X3-Fluidstation Mk3
- Milestone: 7
- Capacity: 384 Slots / 19,200 m³
- Build-Cost: 50 Concrete, 60 Steel Beams, 60 Steel Pipes, 50 Cables, 2 Computers, 20 Motors
- Power-Cost: 20 W

X3-Cargostation Mini
- Milestone: 3
- Capacity: 24 Slots
- Build-Cost: 40 Concrete, 30 Iron Plates, 30 Iron Rods, 10 Cables, 5 Rotors
- Power-Cost: 5 W (vanilla 50)
- Note: This Mini-Station is mainly to fill different Train-Stations with fuel for the trucks. This way you can split one large fuel container to different stations

X3-Locomotive
- Milestone: 3
- Build-Cost: 10 Modular Frames, 40 Iron Rods, 40 Wires, 30 Cables, 5 Rotors
- Power-Cost: 1-10 MW (vanilla 25-110)
- Extra: Camera Zoom (mouse wheel) with camera arm (no more clipping through walls)
- Extra 2: Exit-Offset moved to the train door

X3-Wagon Mk1
- Milestone: 3
- Capacity: 96 Slots / 4,800 m³ (vanilla 32 / 1,600 m³)
- Build-Cost: 10 Reinfored Iron Plates, 30 Iron Rods
- Extra: Collision-Events for better support of the <a href="https://ficsit.app/mod/ETpFu8EKGL3989" target="_blank">Structural Solutions Doors</a> Mod

X3-Wagon Mk2
- Milestone: 5
- Capacity: 192 Slots / 9,600 m³
- Build-Cost: 20 Reinfored Iron Plates, 30 Iron Rods

X3-Wagon Mk3
- Milestone: 7
- Capacity: 384 Slots / 19,200 m³
- Build-Cost: 20 Steel Beams, 30 Steel Pipes
</details>

<br />

<details>
<summary>Rechargeable X3-Drones & X3-Ports (Click here)</summary>

X3-Drone Mk1
- Milestone: 4
- Capacity: 24 Slots
- Max speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
- Max speed near port: 75 km/h (47 mph)
- Build-Cost: 3 Modular Frames, 15 Reinfored Iron Plates, 10 Iron Rods, 20 Copper Sheets, 20 Cables, 8 Motors, 20 Sulfur
- Power: 21 MW/h (see "Drone Power Consumption Info" for details)

X3-Drone Mk2
- Milestone: 6
- Capacity: 48 Slots
- Max speed: 275 km/h (171 mph)
- Max speed near port: 80 km/h (50 mph)
- Build-Cost: 3 Heavy Modular Frames, 15 Steel Beams, 10 Steel Pipes, 25 Copper Sheets, 20 Cables, 16 Motors, 40 Sulfur
- Power: 42 MW/h (see "Drone Power Consumption Info" for details)

X3-Drone Mk3
- Milestone: 8
- Capacity: 96 Slots
- Max speed: 300 km/h (186 mph)
- Max speed near port: 85 km/h (53 mph)
- Build-Cost: 6 Fused Modular Frames, 20 Steel Beams, 15 Steel Pipes, 30 Copper Sheets, 25 Cables, 20 Turbo Motors, 80 Sulfur Acid
- Power: 84 MW/h (see "Drone Power Consumption Info" for details)

X3-DronePort Mk1
- Milestone: 4
- Capacity: 96 Slots
- Transfer-Speed: 240/m
- Build-Cost: 50 Concrete, 40 Iron Plates, 30 Iron Rods, 20 Cables, 4 Motors
- Power-Cost: 1 MW (idle)
- Additional Power Peak: 63 MW peak per 1 minute trip time, for about 20 seconds (see "Drone Power Consumption Info" for details)
- Drone Power: 21 MW/h (Mk1)
- Extra: Reduced Clearance (you can build walls in/around the station, as seen in the showcase)

X3-DronePort Mk2
- Milestone: 6
- Capacity: 192 Slots
- Transfer-Speed: 480/m
- Build-Cost: 50 Concrete, 40 Reinfored Iron Plates, 30 Steel Pipes, 20 Cables, 8 Motors, 2 Computer
- Power-Cost: 2 MW (idle)
- Additional Power Peak: 126 MW peak per 1 minute trip time, for about 20 seconds (see "Drone Power Consumption Info" for details)
- Drone Power: 42 MW/h (Mk2)

X3-DronePort Mk3
- Milestone: 8
- Capacity: 192 Slots
- Transfer-Speed: 480/m
- Build-Cost: 50 Concrete, 40 Steel Beams, 40 Steel Pipes, 20 Cables, 16 Motors, 4 Super Computer, 4 Cooling Systems
- Power-Cost: 4 MW (idle)
- Additional Power Peak: 252 MW peak per 1 minute trip time, for about 20 seconds (see "Drone Power Consumption Info" for details)
- Drone Power: 84 MW/h (Mk3)

Drone Power Consumption Info
While docked, the built in drone battery will be recharged within about 20 seconds, by using the new Instant Recharge ™ technology by X3-Tech.
Note: You need power storages to beat the high peaks!

Okay, here comes the math, maybe I did some mistakes, don't be shy to tell me ;)
First we calculate the trip consumption, so it's easier to calculate the rest... We take a 60 seconds trip (this is the minimum time for a HALF trip between two ports next to each other):
((Drone Power consumption in MW) (full Roundtrip in seconds)) / 60 / 60
Which is:
(21 MW
60s) / 60 / 60 = 0.35 MW

So our drone consumes about 0.35 MW PER trip, if we had a recharge time of ONE hour, we only need the 0.35 MW as output, but we have only 20 seconds (the docking process), so let's calculate how much we need for recharge (Recharge Power consumption), which is our peak for 20 seconds:
((Trip Consumption in MW) 60 60) / docking process in seconds
Which is:
(0.35 MW 60 60) / 20 = 63 MW

Or the short way: (Drone Power consumption in MW) * (full Roundtrip in seconds) / 20

Which means we have a MINIMUM peak of 63 MW for a half trip, or 126 MW peak for a full trip
</details>

<details>
<summary>SPOILER ALERT: CONSTANT battery charge calculation for drones (Click here)</summary>

It's more fun to play around with the consumption and the power storage, but if you want the quick way:
The CONSTANT battery charge for the power storage (input) is 21 MWh, it's just the Drone Power consumption per hour ;)

</details>

<br />

<details>
<summary>X3-PowerStorags & X3-PowerSwitch (Click here)</summary>

X3-PowerStorage Mk1
- Milestone: 4
- Capacity: 100 MW (100 MW for 1 hour)
- Max Charge Rate (Input): 200 MW/h
- Max Discharge Rate (Output): Unlimited
- Build-Cost: 5 Modular Frames, 10 Reinfored Iron Plates, 10 Iron Rods, 50 Copper Sheets, 5 Cables, 100 Sulfur

X3-PowerStorage Mk2
- Milestone: 6
- Capacity: 200 MW (200 MW for 1 hour)
- Max Charge Rate (Input): 800 MW/h
- Max Discharge Rate (Output): Unlimited
- Build-Cost: 5 Heavy Modular Frames, 10 Steel Beams, 10 Steel Pipes, 100 Copper Sheets, 5 Cables, 200 Sulfur

X3-PowerStorage Mk3
- Milestone: 8
- Capacity: 400 MW (400 MW for 1 hour)
- Max Charge Rate (Input): 2400 MW/h
- Max Discharge Rate (Output): Unlimited
- Build-Cost: 10 Fused Modular Frames, 15 Steel Beams, 10 Steel Pipes, 200 Copper Sheets, 5 Cables, 400 Sulfur

X3-PowerSwitch
- Milestone: 4
- Build-Cost: 2 Concrete, 20 Wires, 6 Cables, 6 Iron Plates, 8 Iron Rods
</details>

No vanilla content was overwritten, so hopefully it will work with future updates.

<br />
<hr />

02 / VIDEOS

- [v0.0.1 Showcase](https://youtu.be/9aDc-X9UIl0)
- [v0.0.1 Crash-Detection Sample](https://youtu.be/QHny0oPRqCE)
- [v0.0.12 new Traffic-Stop Feature](https://youtu.be/0bT8wsmp8ko)
- [v1.0.3 Drones battery recharge demo](https://youtu.be/dZ8W9EpG9c0)
- [v1.0.4 Electronic Trucks with built in (rechargeable) batteries](https://youtu.be/YIe_OD9Sg8I)
- [v1.0.11 Better Drop-Points (Docking only if trucks are STANDING)](https://youtu.be/sjmRcAF_FBA)

<br />
<hr />

03 / INSTALLATION / USAGE

Installation:
- Install SMM (this is a mod manager, used by nearly all modders)
- Activate / Install this mod within the mod manager
- Unlock "Better Vehicles" at Tier 3 and Drones at Tier 4 in the HUB (there are also m2 and mk3 milestones)
- It will have it's own category in the build menu

Usage:
- When you enter a vehicle (only from this mod), you can press F1 to open and close the menu


<br />
<hr />

04 / WORKS GREAT WITH

- [X3-Roads](https://ficsit.app/mod/CTm5tJXpDfdATU) (as seen in the video)
- [X3-Signs](https://ficsit.app/mod/C95K7wsTwPjcz5) (as seen in the video)

<br />
<hr />

05 / UPDATES

- Renamed to "Better Vehicles" (v0.0.2)
- Added black background for UI (v0.0.2)
- Changed "falling through the map" indicator from Z-value -10k to -30k (v0.0.3)
- ~~Removed random teleport on path-import (v0.0.3)~~
- ~~Improved the waiting AI a bit (v0.0.3)~~
- ~~Improved "no collision" (v0.0.3)~~
- Added industrial (double) containers (v0.0.3)
- Improved container clearance (like vanilla) for better SMART! Support - you can still build walls on / "into" it, if the walls are built AFTER the container (v0.0.4)
- NoCollision-Mode now only for autopiloted trucks (v0.0.5)
- Added Xplorer [vanilla, just cheaper] (v0.0.5)
- Made Menu more transparent to see more (v0.0.6)
- ~~You can now add waypoints (+ / middleclick) after closing the menu, to prevent mistakes you have to open the menu at least one time (v0.0.6)~~
- Multiplayer-Support - I know you waited too long for it ;) (v0.0.7)
- ~~Added Vanilla Trucks & Truckstation (v0.0.7)~~
- Added UI-Scaling for different resolutions (v0.0.8)
- Clients can now close menu with E and F (the most common use keys) - the vehicle leave events worked only for server (v0.0.8)
- Fixed Multiplayer-Bug where server had no collision for autopiloted trucks, but clients still have collision (v0.0.9)
- ~~You can now add Comments to the exported points, see point 03 Usage (v0.0.10)~~
- Added coordinates in the vehicle menu (v0.0.10)
- Moved Train Exit-Offset, so you stand on the door plate (v0.0.10)
- ~~Added Traffic-Stop, you can stop the AI Vehicles by placing a barrier on the road (v0.0.12)~~
- ~~Reduced Crash Detection to the sides a bit (v0.0.12)~~
- Added Mini Train Cargostation (v0.0.12)
- ~~Reduced Truckstations Pickup-Zone to 0.75 x 0.75 x 0.75 m (v0.0.12)~~
- Multiplayer: More syncing between server and client (v0.0.12)
- Added Wagon Collision-Events for better support of the <a href="https://ficsit.app/mod/ETpFu8EKGL3989" target="_blank">Structural Solutions Doors</a> Mod (v0.0.13)
- Migration for Update 4 (v1.0.0)
- Fixed inaccessible workbench (v1.0.1)
- Fixed text "after" glowing when hovered on dismantle mode (v1.0.2)
- ~~Re added Vanilla Truck, nobody told me I forgot it :/ (v1.0.3)~~
- Moved all recipes from tier 1, 2, 4 to 3, 5, 7 (v1.0.3)
- Added drones with built in batteries, which can be charged by the new Instant Recharge ™ technology by X3-Tech (v1.0.3)
- Moved the Exit-Offset to the left side, sorry british :D (v1.0.4)
- Extended the height of the truck station drop zone, it was a bit too low (v1.0.4)
- Added Electronic Trucks, which can be charged by the new Instant Recharge ™ technology by X3-Tech (v1.0.4)
- Fixed Truck-Station Load/Unload issue (v1.0.5)
- Fixed Mk1 trucks not consuming fuel (v1.0.6)
- Fixed eTrucks not recharging while out of view / teleporting (v1.0.6)
- Added random license plate if empty (v1.0.7 / v1.0.8)
- Fixed eTruck Recharge issues, if you delete a truck while charging for example (v1.0.9)
- Multiplied drone power consumption by factor 3 (v1.0.10)
- Added new Icons (v1.0.10)
- Added station variants with Input/Output only, for example trainstation with 4 Inputs and no Outputs (v1.0.10)
- ~~Optimized DropZone, the loading starts only when the truck is STANDING (v1.0.11)~~
- Port to U5 and U6. (v1.1.0)
- Update 8 support

<br />
<hr />

06 / KNOWN ISSUES

- The drone recharge consumption will not be displayed in the port
- The first recharge will take place after a few round trips, due to trip time calculations
- Truck-Crashes can still happen, but without collision (I'm not a Tesla Dev :D It's very complicated)
- Multiplayer may have some bugs
- Autopiloted Trucks have no collision, make sure to use flat ground like foundations (or better <a href="https://ficsit.app/mod/CTm5tJXpDfdATU" target="_blank">Roads</a>), because they freak out when there is a bush or something :D

<br />
<hr />

07 / QUESTIONS? BUGS?

For bug reports and requests/suggestions you can find me (acxd25) on the [Ficsit Labs Discord](https://discord.gg/pz2U6FvMat).

<br />

<hr />

10 / CREDITS

- Ficsit Mod-Logo by Deantendo#4265
- And again for remake it!

<br />
<hr />

11 / SCREENSHOTS:

![Buildable](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Rick86/sf_mods/master/SF_menu4.png "Buildable")

Versions

v1.2.3beta
15.0K downloadsNovember 15, 2023
v1.2.2beta
1.5K downloadsAugust 19, 2023
v1.2.1alpha
15.4K downloadsNovember 28, 2022
v1.2.0alpha
8.0K downloadsJuly 21, 2022
v1.0.11beta
22.7K downloadsMay 30, 2021

How to Install X3 Better Vehicles & Drones on Your Server

1

Order Satisfactory Server

Order a Satisfactory server with at least 4 GB RAM (6 GB recommended). For multiplayer: per 4 players.

2

Install Mod

Open the mod manager in the dashboard and search for "X3 Better Vehicles & Drones". Installation dependencies are installed automatically.

3

Restart Server

Restart the server so the mod is loaded. Players need to have the mod installed locally as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

X3 Better Vehicles & Drones not working after update – what to do?

After a Satisfactory update, mods need to be updated. Check ficsit.app whether X3 Better Vehicles & Drones has been updated for the new game version. With Mado Hosting: open the mod manager and click "Update All". If the mod hasn't been updated yet, temporarily remove it so the server starts.

X3 Better Vehicles & Drones causing crashes in multiplayer – solution

Most common cause: all players must have exactly the same mod version installed. Check server logs for "ModMismatch" or "Version Conflict". Ensure all players use X3 Better Vehicles & Drones v1.2.3 and the same SML. With Mado Hosting, Satisfactory servers run with 6 GB RAM for stable multiplayer performance.

Is X3 Better Vehicles & Drones compatible with other Satisfactory mods?

X3 Better Vehicles & Drones uses the Satisfactory Mod Loader (SML). Generally, SML-based mods are cross-compatible, but mods modifying the same game systems can cause conflicts. Test new mod combinations on a backup save. The Mado dashboard automatically detects known conflicts and warns you.

Rent X3 Better Vehicles & Drones Server

Play X3 Better Vehicles & Drones on your own Satisfactory server with mod support.

Recommended RAM
6 GBfrom €7.80/mo
Minimum 4 GB | from €5.20
Order Server Now

Mod Information

Author
Acxd, x3008x [Gameplay]
Latest Version
v1.2.3
Created
December 15, 2020
Last Updated
August 22, 2026