How Powerful Is Tesla’s New Semi Truck?

Key Takeaways

• An all-electric Tesla Semi completed a 500-mile test run.
• Tesla estimates that operators could save up to $200,000 in fuel costs within their first three years of ownership.
• However, big questions remain. For one, prospective buyers are wondering how much the Tesla Semi costs.

Tesla has touted its new Semi as the future of trucking. The company recently completed a test drive with the fully electric truck and delivered its first Semis order to PepsiCo.

In terms of green transportation, the Semi represents a significant step forward for electric big rigs. Let’s take a closer look at this new addition to roadways across the country.

A journey to the Tesla Semi

Elon Musk unveiled that Tesla was building a fully electric Semi truck in 2017. At the time, Musk set an initial target of getting the truck on the road by 2019. However, a series of setbacks extended this timeline.

After a lengthy delay, a road-ready Tesla Semi was unveiled. Recently, the company shared the successful results of a 500-mile test drive. While it took longer than expected to make the Semi a reality, its launch marks a huge milestone in developing green transit options for big rigs.

Since delivery trucks and trailers account for approximately half of U.S. vehicle nitrogen oxide emissions, Tesla’s Semi has the potential to lower the country’s overall vehicle emissions significantly.

Tesla’s Semi specs

According to Tesla’s website, the new Semi is a ‘beast.’ Here’s a closer look at the specs and performance details:

• Range: The electric truck has an estimated range of 500 miles.
• Acceleration: It takes the Semi 20 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60 mph.
• Energy consumption: The Semi consumes less than 2kWh per mile.
• Weight: When fully loaded, the gross combination weight is 82,000 points. This number combines both the truck and its cargo.
• Charging time: The truck’s battery can be charged to 70% within 30 minutes.

This electric truck has three independent motors. The combination of electric motors allows instant torque and extra power at all speeds. With that, truck drivers can safely navigate roadways and maintain highway speeds on steep grades.

Another major attraction of the Semi is a relatively lower cost of ownership. According to Tesla, charging is “2.5x cheaper per mile than refueling with diesel.” Tesla estimates that operators can save up to $200,000 in fuel costs over three years.

As an electric vehicle with fewer moving parts and remote diagnostics, the company claims that operators will spend less time in service centers than their diesel-fuel counterparts.

What we don’t know about the Tesla Semi

One of the major unanswered questions is the price tag for this vehicle. Tesla has already made deliveries of its first Semis. However, the company hasn’t publicly announced a sales price yet.

The vehicles were initially listed for $180,000, but the price tag may have changed since the Semi’s original unveiling. Of course, potential buyers of the Semi will need to know this critical piece of information before placing an order.

The total weight of the Semi is also under speculation. Tesla’s website says the Semi is ‘fully loaded’ at 82,000 pounds. That 82,000-pound mark is the upper legal limit of what an electric semi truck can weigh on public roads. The question lies in how much the truck itself weighs.

After all, the weight of a load will vary dramatically. For example, a load of potato chips will weigh significantly less than a load of bottled water.

A key issue for truck operators is how much of the total weight limit is already claimed by this battery-powered truck. Hopefully, the truck’s weight details will be released in the coming months.

Future challenges

As fleet operators consider fully electric trucks, charging stations might delay the transition. Most utility companies don’t have the appropriate grid installed to charge dozens of these powerful trucks.

Furthermore, electric trucks will likely need access to power sources while on the move. According to a study by National Grid, electrifying highway gas stations to meet the power needs of these big trucks could require a similar amount of power as a small town in 2035.

It will take significant planning and work on our country’s electric grids to make the transition to electric power feasible for big trucks on a large scale.

How to invest in Emerging Technology

Tesla’s ability to make a road-ready fully electric truck is a big step forward toward a greener trucking future. The specs of this electric big rig are impressive, but they might improve over time as technology advances.

Innovations in technology transform the physical world around us. Savvy investors are always looking for ways to bring this potentially lucrative investment opportunity into their portfolios. Investing in Tesla might be one option investors consider.

It’s easier said than done to stay up to date on all of the emerging tech and translate that into profitable investments. Even those who like to stay current might find it challenging to incorporate the new information into their investment strategy.

The good news is that you don’t have to monitor the news constantly. Instead, you can get a helping hand from artificial intelligence (AI) to make appropriate adjustments to your portfolio.

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Bottom Line

Undeniably, the Tesla Semi could be a game changer for the trucking industry. However, its success will depend on the answers to questions that Tesla has yet to address and the ability to create the infrastructure needed to accommodate powering these rigs.

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