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  • William Maley
    William Maley

    By William Maley •

    Tesla Unveils Their Electric Semi Truck

      Said to arrive in 2019*

      *If Tesla somehow avoids their usual production delays

    We never thought that we would ever see the day that a semi truck would get as much hype as an upcoming sports car or one of Tesla's new models. But that's the case with Tesla's new semi truck that debut last night.

    The design reminds us of GM's original 'dustbuster' vans with a clean shape and wide glass area. Tesla says the overall drag coefficient of their semi is 0.36, making it more aerodynamic than a Bugatti Chiron. The interior follows the look of the Model 3 with a minimalistic design and large screens providing key information and controls for various functions. The driver is positioned in the middle to provide a commanding view of the road.

    Under the semi's skin, Tesla employs the same chassis design as their passenger vehicles with the batteries sitting low in the chassis to improve the center of gravity. Power comes from four electric motors from the Model 3 for the rear wheels. Tesla isn't saying how much power the motors produce, but went into full detail about performance.

    0-60 mph in 5 seconds when towing an unladen trailer (How many fleet operators care about this? -WM)
    When at its max gross weight of 80,000 pounds, the truck can hit 60 mph in 20 seconds
    Traveling up a 5 percent incline, the Tesla semi can up to 65 mph, 20 mph more than a standard diesel semi
    Maximum range of 500 miles

    Tesla is planning to have a network of "Megachargers," DC charging stations along common routes, and the origin and destination points. The chargers can provide a 400 mile range within 30 minutes.

    For safety, all Tesla Semi trucks will come with an enhanced version of Autopilot, cameras around the vehicle to provide a surround view, a jackknife prevention system that uses sensors to detect instability and adjust the power of each electric motor, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking.

    Tesla is also touting the low operating costs of their new semi. Per mile, the Tesla semi is said to cost $1.26, while rival diesel trucks cost $1.56 per mile. This is due to Tesla's semi having less moving parts than a standard semi truck and lower fuel costs. We're wondering how Tesla came to this number.

    Production is expected to begin in 2019 and if you're interested, you can place a $5,000 deposit.

    Time to address the elephants in the room. Tesla hasn't said where they plan on building their new semi truck as Freemont will be at its capacity if the company reaches their passenger car production goals. Then there are production issues with the Model 3 which has caused the automaker to push back their production ramp-up to next year. That's not including Tesla's track record of missing production dates. They're also burning through cash at a very alarming rate to work various issues. We haven't even gotten to talking about the 'Megachargers' which needs to be built out.

    How Tesla plans to achieve these goals remains to be seen.

    Source: Tesla
    Press Release is on Page 2

    Tesla Semi
     
    The Tesla Semi will deliver a far better experience for truck drivers, while increasing safety and significantly reducing the cost of cargo transport.

    Unrivaled Performance
    Without a trailer, the Tesla Semi achieves 0-60 mph in five seconds, compared to 15 seconds in a comparable diesel truck. It does 0-60 mph in 20 seconds with a full 80,000-pound load, a task that takes a diesel truck about a minute. Most notably for truck drivers and other travelers on the road, it climbs 5% grades at a steady 65 mph, whereas a diesel truck maxes out at 45 mph on a 5% grade. The Tesla Semi requires no shifting or clutching for smooth acceleration and deceleration, and its regenerative braking recovers 98% of kinetic energy to the battery, giving it a basically infinite brake life. Overall, the Semi is more responsive, covers more miles than a diesel truck in the same amount of time, and more safely integrates with passenger car traffic.

    Driver Experience
    Unlike other trucks, the Semi’s cabin is designed specifically around the driver, featuring unobstructed stairs for easier entry and exit, full standing room inside, and a centered driver position for optimal visibility. Two touchscreen displays positioned symmetrically on both sides of the driver provide easy access to navigation, blind spot monitoring and electronic data logging. Built-in connectivity integrates directly with a fleet’s management system to support routing and scheduling, and remote monitoring. Diesel trucks today currently require several third party devices for similar functionality.

    Megachargers, a new high-speed DC charging solution, will add about 400 miles in 30 minutes and can be installed at origin or destination points and along heavily trafficked routes, enabling recharging during loading, unloading, and driver breaks.

    Safety
    The Tesla Semi’s all-electric architecture is designed to have a higher safety standard than any other heavy-duty truck on the market, with a reinforced battery that shields the Semi from impact and gives it an exceptionally low center of gravity. Its windshield is made of impact resistant glass. Jackknifing is prevented due to the Semi's onboard sensors that detect instability and react with positive or negative torque to each wheel while independently actuating all brakes. The surround cameras aid object detection and minimize blind spots, automatically alerting the driver to safety hazards and obstacles. With Enhanced Autopilot, the Tesla Semi features Automatic Emergency Braking, Automatic Lane Keeping, Lane Departure Warning, and event recording.

    Tesla Semi can also travel in a convoy, where one or several Semi trucks will be able to autonomously follow a lead Semi.

    Reliability
    With far fewer moving parts than a diesel truck – no engine, transmission, after-treatment system or differentials to upkeep – the Tesla Semi requires significantly less maintenance. Its battery is similar in composition to the batteries of Tesla energy products and is designed to support repeated charging cycles for over a million miles, while its motors are derived from the motors used in Model 3 and have been validated to last more than one million miles under the most demanding conditions.

    Lowest Cost of Ownership
    All-in, the Tesla Semi delivers massive savings in energy costs, performance, efficiency and reliability.

    TThe biggest immediate cost-advantage comes from savings in energy costs: fully loaded, the Tesla Semi consumes less than two kilowatt-hours of energy per mile and is capable of 500 miles of range at GVW and highway speed, accommodating a wide range of shipping applications given that nearly 80% of freight in the U.S. is moved less than 250 miles. Coupled with the low and stable nature of electricity prices – which average $0.12/kWh in the U.S. and can be significantly less for commercial and industrial users, falling to almost nothing when combined with local solar generation and storage – owners can expect to gain $200,000 or more in savings over a million miles based on fuel costs alone.

    Reservations for the Tesla Semi can be made for $5,000 USD per truck. Production in 2019.

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    • Popular Comment
    smk4565
    • Popular Comment

    I think this truck is awesome it re-writes the rules and could change the way shipping is done.  Diesel semi's have basically seen not a whole lot of advancement in 20-30 years, sure they got an extra mpg here or there, a little more acceleration, but this would be a breakthrough.  

    The fact that you could have trucks that aren't god awful slow, or polluting like crazy or making a ton of noise would be epic.  I am actually quite excited for this.  

    That being said, they actually have to build it.  Tesla has a new idea every year, but they can't actually produce the ideas they come up with and get them in people's hands.

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    aurora97

    If a few commercial fleets get the green light on this and the budget is provided for maintenance and life cycle, then there could be justification for wide-spread use with many industries.  Yes, there could be a demand.  But will they be able to make enough of them in time?

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    daves87rs
      On 11/17/2017 at 7:32 PM, smk4565 said:

    I think this truck is awesome it re-writes the rules and could change the way shipping is done.  Diesel semi's have basically seen not a whole lot of advancement in 20-30 years, sure they got an extra mpg here or there, a little more acceleration, but this would be a breakthrough.  

    The fact that you could have trucks that aren't god awful slow, or polluting like crazy or making a ton of noise would be epic.  I am actually quite excited for this.  

    That being said, they actually have to build it.  Tesla has a new idea every year, but they can't actually produce the ideas they come up with and get them in people's hands.

    Expand  

     

    Pretty much my thought as well. I've heard those "superstations" will be solar powered too, which also would be quite cool. 

    I'd really like to see this happen. Even if it would only change 10% of the fleet on the road-would be a huge start...

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    G. David Felt
      On 11/18/2017 at 11:00 AM, ocnblu said:

    I need someone to verify what I've read all over the internet.  Is it true that for the rolling shots, these things are being propelled by ICE?  Just curious.

    Expand  

    No there is NO ICE in the Tesla Semi or Roadster. Just watch the official Roll out video I have posted in my story on the Semi and Roadster Ocnblu. They are pure EV. Musk hates all things ICE and would never allow it. You can watch both Semi's come into the show at the opening and the roadster unveiling along with the take off. Tons of torque is amazing to watch.

    As I have posted pictures but also in the video you will see that they cover the truck, no room for an ICE generator or anything as with the Roadster. Pure EV.

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    ocnblu
      On 11/18/2017 at 1:14 PM, dfelt said:

    No there is NO ICE in the Tesla Semi or Roadster. Just watch the official Roll out video I have posted in my story on the Semi and Roadster Ocnblu. They are pure EV. Musk hates all things ICE and would never allow it. You can watch both Semi's come into the show at the opening and the roadster unveiling along with the take off. Tons of torque is amazing to watch.

    As I have posted pictures but also in the video you will see that they cover the truck, no room for an ICE generator or anything as with the Roadster. Pure EV.

    Expand  

    Yes I am sure he hates it when one of his cars gets towed in to the dealership on a diesel powered flatbed.  You'd think he'd be used to it by now though.

    Edited by ocnblu
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    oldshurst442
      On 11/19/2017 at 12:08 AM, ocnblu said:

    Yes I am sure he hates it when one of his cars gets towed in to the dealership on a diesel powered flatbed.  You'd think he'd be used to it by now though.

    Expand  

    Yeah...what a shocker...

    mechanical stuff breaks...

    Like when a Ford tows a  Chevy

     

    a9413dc3304b9c0a18e43586fc488455--chevy-

    Or when a Chevy tows a Ford...

    cf87c5eb210bc04c08ac8ebe0e24c805.jpg

     

    we-all-give-eachother-shit-but-at-the-en

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    G. David Felt
      On 11/19/2017 at 12:08 AM, ocnblu said:

    Yes I am sure he hates it when one of his cars gets towed in to the dealership on a diesel powered flatbed.  You'd think he'd be used to it by now though.

    Expand  

    Yes that happens some times when on the freeway or a main road, otherwise Tesla has a repair van yes still ICE come to you at your location, repair and get you on your way. Far more flexible way of getting your auto repairs and back into use.

    He has said he hates that they have to use ICE for service and towing but until they can cover those segments, he is accepting it. Still hates it though.

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    surreal1272
      On 11/19/2017 at 12:08 AM, ocnblu said:

    Yes I am sure he hates it when one of his cars gets towed in to the dealership on a diesel powered flatbed.  You'd think he'd be used to it by now though.

    Expand  

    So what? Guess when they add tow trucks to the EV program, you will just have yet another reason to hate and troll EVs. 

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    oldshurst442
      On 11/21/2017 at 1:48 AM, ocnblu said:

    I think if it happens, it will be the trusty Ford diesel towing the juiceless Tesla, but maybe I'm the only one in the village who thinks that.  ;)

     

    Expand  

    Now why would you think that?

    Why would it be a Ford Diesel tow truck towing a Tesla?

     

    Villager Oldshurst442 says:

    6BDeWXeNA.jpg

     

    Villager @ocnblu says:

    sycc6.jpg

     

    Villager @dfelt says:

    syix0.jpg

     

    Villager @A Horse With No Name says:

    a49ec9b036f48ebefe92543425246e23--ford-j

     

    Then Villager @Drew Dowdell gets cute and says:

    201406_1700_bghef.jpg

     

    To which Villager @ccap41 replies:

    fae7f17c8d9fbeef26c1eeb196c2f5ac--chevy-

     

    So yeah @ocnblu...you are the only one that thinks that!

     

     

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    Robert Hall

    Hmm...as far as tow trucks, I'm more used to seeing International rollbacks than Fords....and unfortunately, got to ride in them more than once over the last decade..

    1.jpg

    Edited by Cubical-aka-Moltar
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    A Horse With No Name

    Yeah...I agree with the circles the problem quote.

      On 11/21/2017 at 1:48 AM, ocnblu said:

    I think if it happens, it will be the trusty Ford diesel towing the juiceless Tesla, but maybe I'm the only one in the village who thinks that.  ;)

     

    Expand  

    Speak for yourself when you say Ford and Trusted in the same sentence.

      On 11/19/2017 at 1:31 AM, oldshurst442 said:

    No comprendo, huh?

    No me sorprende...

     

    Expand  

    I comprehended no effing Ford in my driveway.  My son bought one to resell and I made him park it on the street...

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    A Horse With No Name
      On 11/21/2017 at 1:46 AM, dfelt said:

    Tow the Tow.jpg

    EV Tow Trucks will tow the Tow truck, just like Ford Diesel tows the Ford Diesel. So much for that one. :P 

    Expand  

    Yes I hate Ford...but true story I was riding in a Ford tow truck once that broke down.

      On 11/20/2017 at 3:32 PM, surreal1272 said:

    So what? Guess when they add tow trucks to the EV program, you will just have yet another reason to hate and troll EVs. 

    Expand  

    If Ford ever builds a Pure EV I will honestly buy Bill the biggest steak and the Coldest beer in Lancaster Pennsylvania so we can sit there all night and trash talk that thing.  That would just be epic.

    Yes...there is enough beer to make fat chicks look hot.

    No, there is not enough beer to make me want a Ford.

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    smk4565

    The pricing has been announced:

    $150,000 for a 300 mile range truck and $180,000 for a 500 mile range truck.

    That is quite good because I looked up a Freightliner Cascadia and they sell for $140-155,000 for most models, unless you get a stripped down base model for $120,000.  So a slight premium for the Tesla, but it should make that up in operating costs rather easily.

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