Posted on 09/19/2023 6:00:29 AM PDT by Cronos
Pepsico explained how it uses its fleet of Tesla Semi electric trucks in a fascinating video that gives us a glimpse at the future of trucking.
Tesla has only delivered a limited number of its electric semitrucks, and most of them are believed to be in operation in Pepsico’s fleet – primarily in its Sacramento facility, which has been completely electrified and is solar-powered. .
Pepsico explained that it uses most of its 21 Tesla Semi electric trucks for deliveries within 100 miles with several stops. They operate for up to 12 hours a day.
Dejan Antunovic, electrification program manager at Pepsico, explained that three of the Tesla Semi trucks are dedicated to long-haul trucking, with routes that vary between 250 to 450 miles.
To support that, Tesla has been installing 750 kW Megachargers at Pepsico facilities. They enable charging to 80% capacity in less than 45 minutes. ...
Antunovic says that the company has been pushing the trucks to their limits, and they have been impressed. They find Tesla Semi’s regenerative braking to be particularly beneficial. As an example, he explained that, on the way down Donner Pass when going to Nevada, the Tesla Semi was able to be energy neutral by recuperating energy from braking.
The program manager noted that they have been able to achieve an efficiency of 1.7 kWh per mile on average with Tesla Semi. Pepsico specifically mentioned that this level of efficiency was achieved “over the last few months,” meaning that it has been improving.
That’s incredible, considering a rate of $0.14 per kWh, the off-peak rate in Sacramento – this would result in a 23% fuel cost reduction over the most efficient diesel trucks. You can imagine how those savings could add up pretty quickly on a large fleet of trucks.
(Excerpt) Read more at electrek.co ...
“In 1975 Betamax had 100% of the video cassette market. VHS was introduced the following year, and within ten years it had supplanted Betamax as the preferred technology for VCRs.
Battery-powered trucks will face a similar future, “
And VHS was replaced with CD’s.
“They can charge their dead batteries on the down slope and return empty on fully charged batteries never needing charging stations.”
Stupid reply. You are neglecting friction and windage.
After dominating the industry for 15+ years with no competition. That’s not what you see in the EV industry right now — especially for trucks.
“. That’s not what you see in the EV industry right now — especially for trucks.”
Why would I believe someone that doesn’t know that EV’s have regenerative braking.
What’s the deer road kill count in that area.
“CDL haul truck driver is doing 11 hours of driving a day, and putting 500-600 miles a day or more on their vehicles... “
The Tesla is close to that. With a supercharger you can easily top off while on break.
Imagine how quiet a truck stop would be!
If regenerative braking performed the way you described it, you could drive a truck around with your foot on the brake pedal at all times -- and use less than zero energy. That's ludicrous.
“It also sounds like they are trying to fast-charge the batteries. It’s my understanding that this is tough on a battery, any rechargeable battery.. “
Tesla battery longevity not affected by frequent Supercharging, study says
https://electrek.co/2023/08/29/tesla-battery-longevity-not-affected-frequent-supercharging-study/
Then there’s the extra weight factor. What does a battery pack for a semi weigh? Do they have to reduce the payload to make up for the battery? Do they have to reduce the payload to make up for the battery?”
Some capacity is lost as the GVW is limiting but EVs get an extra 2k allowed.
“Ah, a perpetual motion semi truck. It can drag tons of weight up and down the pass for free.”
Stupid comment.
There's a whole lot of "Betamaxes" out there, dude.
From a conversation with one fleet manager last year whose company bought a set of prototype EV trucks for testing: "We won't buy another one of these things for years. The company that made the six out there in our yard right now is already out of business, so we have no idea if we can even buy replacement parts to repair them."
BetaMax was superior to VHS.
“Unfortunately, on the way up the Donner Pass all recuperated energy was consumed.”
And diesels recuperate ZERO energy!
Electric trucks make no sense unless you factor in incentives. If you buy a vehicle over one hundred thousand dollars you get to right off eighty percent of the cost against profit in the first year. Say you made $100k profit. Even though you haven’t actually paid for the vehicle yet, you only pay taxes on $20k. There are a dozen or so videos explaining this. I chose this one at random. The thing to note here is this is a tax dodge, not the signal that electric vehicles are here to stay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzziJLLJDKE
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I looked at your video. This tax dodge/incentive from the IRS applies to all heavy vehicles over 6000 lbs. Electric or diesel or gasoline. Am I missing something? IOW not just applicable to electric powered Tesla semis that PepsiCo signed up for.
” About 80% of US electric power is generated by non renewable source. So where would the power be coming from to charge fleets of new electric cars and trucks?”
Natural gas.
Right off they lose 20% range if they are charged to 80%.
The capacity of the trucks are reduced as well as the batteries weigh so much more and take up more room then a diesel engine. What is the replacement cost of the battery?
Who has 750kw chargers? That must have cost a fortune.
“So they are claiming they generate more electricity going down the Donner pass than they use on the entire trip? “
They are NOT saying that.
According to the estimate in the report linked below, Tesla's Class 8 tractor has a battery weight of 11,244 lb. under the best of circumstances.
The typical diesel engine for a Class 8 tractor today weighs less than 3,000 lb.
So we have an EV truck with 8,000+ lb. of extra powertrain weight, and you think a 2,000-lb. extra weight allowance makes it an attractive alternative?
Get back to me when you have all this nonsense figured out.
1. On what basis would you say that?
2. Why did it lose out to VHS?
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