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 ...
” thus requiring hours of charging time.”
80% charge in 45 minutes ...
Like to see how they handle in the hill country west of San Antonio on I-10
Loaded 18-wheelers drop to 20mph uphill. Nice when the speed limit is 75 and you come around a curve uphill and find one passing another like 2 terrapins in a race.
Thanks I didn't know that. ;O)
Just stop, that number is typically assuming a level three rated charger (which are wildly rare) and it is not 80% it is no less than 20% to 80%l. As some of those trucks went below 20% the charge time even on a level three is much longer.
That is the classic lie told about these EVs and charging. Always obfuscating the facts with partial data to make it look much better than what it really is.
Did you miss the part about a 3 hour charge in the article when the truck was at 1.6%?
EV proponents never answer that question.
I’m an engineer/scientist/business owner. I don’t develop solutions looking for a problem to solve. The EV market is doing just that.
” (which are wildly rare) “
They won’t be rare in the future.
“I’m an engineer/scientist/business owner. I don’t develop solutions looking for a problem to solve. The EV market is doing just that.”
If you were a good engineer you would see the advantages.
There is no comparison for the inefficiencies of Diesel and Batteries especially in cold weather.
How many companies will be charging their batteries with Diesel Generators. It's fairly common. Face it EV's are a cruel joke.
Of course it's your tax dollars subsidizing them too.
Also hills and headwinds take a toll and how much the battery weighs.
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As does climbing as descending mountain passes during a snow storm with temperatures in the 20s or lower ...
Can’t wait to see how the manage winters on shows like Highway to Hell and Heavy Rescue: 401.
Yes they will stay rare. I make electricity for a living. You have no understanding of what it would take to have that level of infrastructure created.
Just the transmission lines alone fail, we do not have capacity to transmit that level of power not to mention the lack of base load.
So tired of these unicorn fart hoping solutions.
up hills far faster than diesel ones, and get up to speed faster too.
= = =
And they have to go downhill - brakes, or regen? How good?
Quicker acceleration is more stress on the drive train parts and tires. So more frequent repairs?
Hauling all that dead weight of the battery. You’ll see cars parked on the side of the roads with frozen people inside. Grizzly bear snacks.
I guess in the “real world” estimates better be close to reality or you won’t make any money. See the F-150e numbers for how NOT to do that.
I wonder what the infrastructure costs at the warehouse facility were per truck. I am assuming they would have to plug in every night. That means a BIG 440v(?) system for each vehicle? That has to add a decent chunk to each vehicles initial cost.
Sure they do. 81,000 lbs +/- 2,000 at the start of the day.
2 terrapins with severe arthritis lol
You’ll see cars parked on the side of the roads with frozen people inside. Grizzly bear snacks.
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For when the bears come out of hibernation - like plucking grapes packaged in tin cans and plastic cartons
The issue is charging. Not range.
You can load up 1000 miles of battery range, but once you drain those ampere hours out, you must replace them. This article seems to profile routes of travel that were carefully arranged to have unusually high charge flow chargers.
You must understand that a watt is a volt-ampere. Kilowatt-hours is a way to measure charge, provided people understand the voltage level is fixed at a value. It is ampere hours going into and out of the battery. The higher the amperage flow, the more the cables heat.
The battery will have a limit of flow rate, and so will the charger. High rate chargers are not cheap.
Heck, I went downhill in a suburban and it was hairy enough- I can’t imagine driving it with 80,000 truck and load. Scary is an understatement lol.
Exactly.
Businesses are not going to make an investment like this without seeing some savings. A 27% fuel cost savings is HUGE if you are operating a fleet of delivery trucks.
No, electric doesn’t work for long haul truckers yet. But for the last mile deliveries...this could save some money for the companies. Of course, the initial investment would need to be reviewed for overall savings...but I am sure these things depreciate faster than a “normal” truck. And that would push some savings to the bottom line as well.
Now...what they do with these batteries when they are finished is a different story.
But, one cannot dismiss electric vehicles out of hand when there ARE specific applications where they will end up saving money.
This will probably be highly successful in California (no surprise) as they’re banning diesel trucks, including in the port areas. So Cali docking ports for ships delivering freight to local Cali destinations will probably work very well.
I’m sure their air quality will quadruple and also, finally, save the planet ;p
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