Elon Musk does not stop at big challenges and somehow explores all possibilities in electric mobility. Tesla's Semi - an electric truck - we waited a long time and got it. It promises a range of up to 800 kilometers on a single charge. And a surprisingly good price!
Of course, commercial vehicles are primarily about costs, and here Tesla promises big savings to logistics companies. Filling up with electricity is about 2.5 times cheaper per mile than filling up with diesel fuel. In the first three years of ownership, operators can save up to 200,000 euros on fuel alone. Of course, also with remote diagnostics, over-the-air software updates and less moving parts for maintenance, which will save maintenance time. And for business use, this literally always means saving money.
Tesla Semis will be manufactured in Nevada, and production capacity will be increased to 50,000 units per year by 2024. That should be an average of more than 120 vehicles per day and enough to make Tesla one of the largest manufacturers of Class 8 trucks in North America.
According to Musk, Tesla produces various electric vehicles to achieve its main goal: to achieve the emergence of sustainable energy in mobility and a concrete transition. He noted that production of the Tesla Semi is critical to the company's mission. He explained that Class 8 trucks account for only 1 % of vehicles in the United States, but contribute 20 % of U.S. vehicle emissions and 36 % of U.S. vehicle particulate emissions. It means that trucks are responsible for most of the "bad" in road traffic.
The Tesla Semi has 3 times the power of the average diesel truck on the road. It has a 1000-volt powertrain, uses Tesla's innovative heat pump system and infotainment system. The Semi basically uses Plaid's powertrain. Which is the irony of electro mobility. It is equipped with a three-motor drivetrain that ensures a smooth ride - both during acceleration and braking.
800 kilometers on a single charge
Completed at highway speed, without charging on the way & over 4,000 ft of elevation https://t.co/nZomwI7DbY pic.twitter.com/9MB0ejk2o6
— Tesla (@Tesla) December 2, 2022
Ahead of the official event, the Tesla Semi conducted a 800-kilometer trip test for PepsiCo on a single charge. Elon Musk has pledged to upload the entire video of the trip to social media. There is a lot of skepticism in the industry. The director of Daimler Truck AG stated that this is physically impossible.
Some more information for the technically demanding
The total weight of the truck and cargo can be 37 tons. There will be two versions. Namely, one with a range of 480 kilometers and one with a range of 800 kilometers. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 20 seconds, which is incredible for a truck. It is powered by three independent engines.
And the price?! Surprisingly low, as the entry price for the truck starts at $150,000 for the shorter-range version and $180,000 for the longer-range version.
This price is simply excellent in the world of transportation when you consider the fuel savings.
