Posted on 09/19/2023 6:05:43 AM PDT by Cronos
The much-anticipated Tesla Semi has finally showcased some real-world performance data after nearly six years of anticipation. With Pepsi as its only customer currently, the truck’s performance in real-world settings has been a subject of curiosity. Thanks to the North American Council for Freight Efficiency’s Run on Less program, Pepsi’s Sacramento location has reported the mileage, stops, speed, and charging details of three Semis over the last three days. The data so far suggests that Tesla’s claims of a 500-mile range at 81,000 pounds might be accurate.
On the first day of testing, one Semi traveled 416 miles, stopping once to charge for about 20 minutes and ending the day with 17.5% battery capacity. Another Semi covered 295 miles before reaching a 21% charge and then added another 81 miles in the afternoon. The third Semi managed 377 miles on day one, leaving the battery at 1.6% before charging for three hours and completing an additional 165 miles. These numbers show that the Semis can cover significant distances within their demonstrated range and comfortably handle some charging time during the day.
On the second day, one of the Semis achieved an impressive total of 794 miles with just under two hours of charging. According to Mike Roeth, Executive Director of NACFE, the weight of the Semis is an important factor to consider. While Tesla has not officially disclosed the weight, Roeth mentions that Class 8 electric vehicles are allowed to exceed the 80,000-pound limit by 2,000 pounds, and it is likely that the Semis make full use of this allowance. He also confirms that the Semis tested with Pepsi were fairly loaded when they left and remained loaded throughout the testing period. ...
(Excerpt) Read more at energyportal.eu ...
Go Elon!
Are repair costs included ?
They don’t talk about payloads.
A number of years ago it was claimed that trucks could haul freight up hills far faster than diesel ones, and get up to speed faster too. Not sure those are reasons to switch, or even to add to a fleet of combustible engine trucks, but in certain areas where mountain travel is common, it would cut down on delivery times
And free and plentyful electwicty hooked with long cowrds
“They don’t talk about payloads.”
Actually they do!
I saw a similar one years ago like that- I wonder though if it’s under load or not? Probably was. I took a drive across country once, and went through Colorado, and it was a massive climb and descent. If the tesla can do those mountains like in the video, it’s really quite an accomplishment. When I went down the backside of the moh tain, it just went on and on and on forever it seemed- I was nervous about the brakes wearing out on the way down it was so steep. (My breaks were pretty bad before I started)
They do not say how many pounds were being pulled for the mileage they got.
Also hills and headwinds take a toll and how much the battery weighs.
“Needs more work, but seems to be progressing in the right direction”
Exactly what direction is that? What problem is it trying to solve?
All these electric trucks at the end of the day were very low charge thus requiring hours of charging time.
Every single combustible engine can easily out distance ALL those numbers with less time to fill and at the end of the day turn around and make the return trip with no delay, just fill and go again.
Many trucks now will do just that, swapping drivers and make a round trip route, sorry but I do not see how this is a success for these trucks.
Real world...
(chortle)
EV sucks. This is crazy.
EXACTLY.
“They do not say how many pounds were being pulled for the mileage they got.”
They are running normal loads similar to their diesel trucks and getting a 27% fuel savings.
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The data so far suggests that Tesla’s claims of a 500-mile range at 81,000 pounds might be accurate.
“Also hills and headwinds take a toll and how much the battery weighs.”
Same with diesels! At least EV’s use dynamic braking and recover energy going downhill with little wear on brakes.
That uphill performance looks impressive. How does it do going downhill? Every semi I've driven had a jake brake, compression brake, to help slow it on downhill mountain passes. Anyone that's driven 80,000 lbs down a 5-7% grade with fading brakes can tell you it can be a bit of a scary experience. I've had it happen. Jake wasn't working, going down a pass. My partner was driving. He had to keep the RPMs up in lower gears to save the brakes. Ended up blowing the motor. We were 80,000 and he managed to get us on the flat without using a runaway ramp or killing us. This was in Colorado on the downside, going into Steamboat Springs.
Sure. Better. But these numbers have to go a LONG way to catch up to or eclipse a truck running on diesel.
“That uphill performance looks impressive. How does it do going downhill?”
Fantastic! The electric motors act as generators while “braking” downhill.
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