Tesla Semi delivery event has happened, the first delivery actually happened yesterday to Pepsi.
500 mile range at 82,000 lbs real world test. Right off the factory line, onto the road. There was no aero package added and no weight change, and the truck only stopped once so the driver could use the bathroom.
During this real world test, brakes were actually cold at the mandatory brake check on route. Which is in place so drivers that normally would have extremely hot brakes don’t end up experiencing brake failures due to high temperatures. This is because the regenerative brake system on the Tesla semi works extremely well, to the point where the brakes are almost not needed. Think of it kind of like an engine brake on a diesel truck, but instead of just slowing down the truck it now also charges the battery.
Price was not discussed, weight was not discussed.
It’s clear that this will operate extremely well on shorter routes with its current range, but will not be as useful on larger trips. The argument can be made that laws don’t allow drivers to drive continuously without breaks, but the Semi is still a little short even with these breaks accounted for. I imagine as battery density gets better this will change. Along with the fact that these electric semi (on paper) will be far cheaper to operate, possibly offsetting downtime (charging time) costs.
Over the average lifetime of a Semi, Tesla semi can save $600k to a million+ just in fuel. That doesn’t account for possible (and highly likely) maintenance cost savings.
TLDR: Tesla Semi is a beast and obvious choice for anything under the ~500 mile routes, as routes get longer more consideration will be needed.
Also to all the doubters, Tesla may be late, wrong, or seem completely insane sometimes but I think it’s fair to say that they do deliver.
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