Featured Electric Semi Trailer Truck

One of the et al's pushing hydrogen is/was Nikola. Found to be laden with fraud ... they're still plodding along. All you have to do is throw the wrong doers under the hydrogen buss, coasting down hill.


Justice Dept., SEC Probe Fraud at Nikola
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perhaps that's why Tesla semi are now being delivered, where as the likes of Hydrogen Powered Nikola Semi manufacturers are still recovering from their 125 million dollar fraud fine sentencing. Gotta know your poke's from your pigs.

SEC.gov | Nikola Corporation to Pay $125 Million to Resolve Fraud Charges

Justice Dept., SEC Probe Fraud at Nikola

Justice Department joins SEC probe into Nikola after report claims company is an 'intricate fraud' | Daily Mail Online
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Pepsi is the 2nd largest fleet owner of trucks in the US (maybe the most semi-tractors at over 14000)
source: https://www.fleetowner.com/research/fleetowner-500/article/21703705/fleet-owner-500-top-private-fleets-of-2019

I think they are smart enough to know that EV trucks are new and they are a big part of the future. They also see that it will eventually save them money and provide some PR benefits. So they will buy some and find the proper routes for them to be efficiently used and tested on. They aren't buying these first ones for just one specific route. If they don't work for one set of routes, they'll move them to another and provide feedback to Tesla. I doubt it makes (much) difference to them

Mike

 

3913468-tesla-delivers-first-semi-truck-to-pepsico-as-it-looks-to-shake-up-class-8-market

i wonder if pepsi saw this:

elon-musk-bedside-table

 

Seems like a lot of misinformation is out there the facts from the announcement.

Elon Musk: Tesla Semi Production Target Is 50,000 Units In 2024
- The 500 mile plus semi is promised to start with around 1 MWh battery, the 300 mile version will have less than 600 MWh but they will produce the bigger battery version first.

The semi is promised to consume less than 2 kwh/mile - the 1.7 kwh was speculation but it may be better or worse. Tesla is quoting range at 60 mph, but of course range will be reduced at higher speed, though for short haul it probably is not far off.

The trucks have 3 motors - a high efficiency motor on the second axle, and 2 more motors the the rear axle that can be quickly clutched out for efficiency or on for power. On the highway it will only use the single efficient motor that is about the same power as a typical diesel engine for a class 8 truck.

I would expect that these initial trucks are being sold at a loss like the roadster, but they will likely raise prices and be highly profitable in 2024 when production is dialed in. Freightliner already has their bev trucks running with the 250 mile version getting 2.2 kwh/mile. These are used on local routes (150 miles or less) and have good reviews from customers.

10 years from now I would expect most new class 8 trucks used for short haul (less than 250 miles per leg) to be plug-ins. The economics and environmental benefit are too big not to transition, but these trucks often go 1 million miles, so it will be a slow transition. Someone will get it right.

 

It could be, or these could be real world 60 mph tests which may produce a longer range than epa. Musk often over promises in tweets, the official is less than 2 kwh/mi. It will be interesting when they have more data next year. At 60 mph and that lower drag about half the consumption would be rolling resistance. I think for a 82,000 lb truck fully loaded 1.5 kwh/mi. Either way tesla will likely load the truck with enough batteries to go the 500 miles or more, the thing is if the truck is more efficient, that means fewer batteries and less payload penalty from the weight. First deliveries of the initial production truck are this month. That means they can put it through its paces and improve areas that the customers want.

Freightliner seems successful with their 230 mile model, the tesla will charge faster and have much longer range.

 

82,000 lb Max load limits. With huge amounts of potential (class 8) power regeneration for down hill speed control & dynamic breaking .... might load limits increase to offset huge battery weights? Ie no more fading/overheating brake drums potentially .

 

Electric, Hydrogen or Natural Gas-powered trucks = great idea in my book.

Hopefully give truckers and distributors some alternatives to pricey diesel fuel and maybe help bring down shipping cost.

I hope these and the other alternatives are very successful.

 

After reinforcing the trailer, just need to upgrade the roads for the increased traffic weight. That's the real limit on truck weight.

 

What do you do to upgrade a road from 80,000 pound trucks to 82,000 pounds?

Mike

 

not gonna happen

 

Same thing as the bridges?

We wouldn't be talking about an occasional truck being overweight. The road should be engineered for that. Increase the max load for trucks, and you have to design for every truck being that weight being driven through out the year.

The is would be the plan to extend the now shorter life of existing roads. Long term, the road bed needs to be reinforced; thicker layers of gravel, sand, and stone.

The other option is to add an axle to the trailer, but that reduces the truck efficiency.

 

Sure!. Just put it on the list to upgrade them all...after the tens of thousands that are behind on little things like inspections

Mike

 

Exactly why we shouldn't be talking about giving EV trucks higher load limits at this time.

 

zeppelins, hydrogen, problem solved

 

Something like this??

I actually like the idea IF it is more efficient than the alternatives.