New Tesla Electric Truck

I don't really have much to comment on here, I just thought this was interesting and didn't see it being discussed yet.

Tesla Semi, an electric big rig truck with 500-mile range, rolls into reality

If they can deliver on the specs they are bragging about, then this truck will be amazing. 0-60mph in 5 sec empty 0-60mph in 20 sec loaded Very low cab floor for easy in and out. Not going to be driving out in a field to haul grain with this thing lol. Driver sits center with panoramic front window No more worrying about blind side backing or tight right turns Independent front suspension Regenerative breaking system that almost never needs to use the service breaks Each drive wheel has its own motor with torque vectoring software to keep truck more stable. He said this would make jack knifing impossible. He has never driven in winter conditions it seems. No amount of stability control is going to stop you from sliding on ice if you are going to fast. Can recharge up to 400 miles worth of battery in only 30min. For those that follow HoS rules for 30min break that gives you a 900 mile each day.

All that is awesome, but the thing I am most interested in is the autonomous features and platooning. Lets say you have several trucks going the same way down I90 for 2000 miles through flyover country. Instead of running teams with 2 drivers per truck to keep them going, you can switch off which truck is the "train conductor" for the convoy. The other drivers can get their off duty time and then switch lead trucks when needed. HoS rules would need to be altered to take full effect of this probably. I would imagine there would be a big push for the battery system to last longer for this purpose. Possible trailers with battery banks integrated into the trailers belly. You could see drop and hook operation where the trailers are plugged in so that when you hook up to the trailer it is fully charged so you don't have to waste your time on charging the truck.

Oh well, my favorite part is the 0-60mph times.

0 to 60 is helps some. However, you have to be on duty while fueling. A law change would be needed. I can fuel my truck in about 10 minutes and roll. I usually go over 600 miles before refueling. What about the cost of the infrastructure to build all the fueling stations. Look at all the unused CNG/LNG stations. It will be a long time before this is mainstream.

It's definitely interesting and looks pretty cool in some way, but we'll see when it actually starts hitting the highways in big numbers. Tesla is super behind right now and Musk has too much on his plate.

What got me was all the extra storage space! more stuff i can cram in lol.

but seriousy, a couple things:

"can go up a 5% grade at 65mph when it takes a deisel 45mph at 80,000". great but at what speed am going down that grade? lol

they are building power stations every 400 miles. but states drivers usually take the 30 min every 5-6 hours of driving. so if i have to wait 400 miles to power up, then i will be breaking twice. not cool. how long will the lines be to power? now we can wait in a fuel aisle for an hour, and it only takes minutes.

Big Scott, you are on duty while.pumping. this needs to charge so plug in then go sleeper or off duty while its charging. you are no longer doing work.

states 80% of freight routes are less tha 300 miles. really????

Notice how quiet they are about empty weight? Batteries are dense, thus very heavy...if their weight significantly reduces payload capacity, thus lowering the per load revenue potential, any cost savings may be offset by reduced capacity. Nothing I read disclosed that fact.

This may also apply competitive pressure on Diesel engine and componentry manufacturers to invest in technology improvements increasing fuel efficiency. As compared to engines made 40 years ago, fuel efficiency although better, hasn't dramatically increased. But let's face it, moving heavy weight requires an incredible amount of energy to overcome friction, wind resistance and gravity. A happy medium must be achieved so cost, componentry weight and energy storage minimally impacts payload capacity.

Definitely interesting stuff though.

Yes batteries are heavy. When I take a load of batteries they are one level per pallet and they usually put 30,000+ pounds on the truck.

After looking at the picks, where is the room for the trailer to turn when backing.

Those charging stations are definitely going to be a major weak link in this concept.

I like them from an engineering standpoint but still think they're ugly.

The range and weight limits are going to keep them limited to day cab work and probably California. *I can see certain states mandating their use.