Tesla Semi Finally Revealed

[Shepherd777]

Tesla finally debuted their new semi last night. Elon Musk claims 0.36 Cd.

After 18,000 man hours build time, I'm slightly biased of course, but I think my new truck is much more aerodynamic (0.26 Cd) and sexier.

[oil pan 4]

Money wasted on solar panels, check.

[JRMichler]

Does anybody have any good estimates of kwH per mile for an aerodynamic LRR semi truck? The 13 MPG of the Airflow Bullet Truck implies about 1 kwH per mile. The advertised 500 mile range for the Tesla truck would need a 500 kwH battery.

A Google search comes up with the 85 kwH Tesla battery weighing 1200 lbs, so a 500 kwH battery would weigh about 7000 lbs. Add 1000 lbs or so for motors, and the drive package comes to about 8000 lbs.

Compare to a conventional truck drive train. These numbers are the best I could come up with in a quick Google search, so maybe somebody more knowledgeable could improve them.

Cummins X15 engine: 3150 lbs
Eaton AMT: 850 lbs
Two differentials: 760 lbs
200 gallons fuel: 1380 lbs
Two fuel tanks: 200 lbs
Total: 6340 lbs

If the truck is used for shorter runs and returned to the same place every night for charging, a smaller battery of 300 kwH or so may be sufficient. In that case, the electric drive train could be lighter than the diesel drive train.

An electric drive train will have performance advantages in short haul city driving. The electric heavy duty truck may not be as goofy an idea as I thought a year ago.

[Hersbird]

I actually figured it would need over a 1000 kwh battery.

These guys figured almost 1200 kwh or 12 P100D battery packs.
https://insideevs.com/tesla-semi-tru...ry-is-how-big/

[freebeard]

This ex-trucker has some questions about the Tesla Semi
First, let's talk about that central seating position.

Furthermore, I can't see around trucks in front of me without pulling halfway into another lane. When I need to exchange paperwork with the guard at a terminal, or the police, I can't lean out the window to do so. Speaking of which, I have to believe one of the windows on the Tesla Semi rolls down, but I can't figure out which one. If, as it appears from the renderings, the windows only vent, well... that's unacceptable.

[Xist]

Watch Tesla put touchscreens on the door so you can show paperwork, etc., instead of rolling down the window.

The entry 300-mile range model will cost $150,000 (that's about £112,755 or AU$196,645), while the 500-mile range truck will cost $180,000, which converts to about £135,325 or AU$235,890.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news...comeexperience

How much is that in Euros?

"entry-level semis cost upwards of $100,000 -- but that's just the beginning. Annual diesel costs alone can run up another $70,000, with total operating costs coming in at around $180,000 per year!"

So you cannot afford to not purchase the super pickup!

[freebeard]

Before your neighbors!1!

[jcp123]

Originally Posted by freebeard

This ex-trucker has some questions about the Tesla Semi
First, let's talk about that central seating position.

That's basically my chief concern!

Other things I have thought about aren't so much criticisms as they are questions.

[ME_Andy]

Originally Posted by Shepherd777

After 18,000 man hours build time, I'm slightly biased of course, but I think my new truck is much more aerodynamic (0.26 Cd) and sexier.

I totally agree, but why isn't it being produced?

[rmay635703]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/joannmu.../#6ddb0bd078f1