After manufacturing the development prototypes, which helped define the final specifications of the model, Tesla produced 70 units of the Semi, the truck composed of a semi-trailer tractor capable of moving 40 tons of gross weight. And it does so over a distance of 483 kilometers or 805 kilometers pulling the maximum load, with a price of only 150,000 or 180,000 dollars (about 141,000 or 170,000 euros, depending on the version). To these arguments – already proven by independent entities – the Tesla electric truck adds a consumption of just 2 kWh/mile (about 124 kWh/100 km), which indicates that the version with greater autonomy should have an accumulator with a capacity of 1,000 kWh. .
Electric trucks with a large load capacity (40 tons or more, to accommodate the extra weight of the batteries), with an autonomy that allows them to rival the diesel alternative and with a recharging capacity that allows them to store the energy necessary to continue . Traveling in ideal conditions is something that many manufacturers seek, but everything indicates that Tesla is in the lead. After completing the development period of the model, the North American manufacturer delivered 70 units to customers in extraordinary conditions, since it was their responsibility to continue testing in real use conditions, collect valuable data and help improve the battery-powered truck. Among these clients is PepsiCo, a true monster in the beverage and food products market in the North American market, which is looking for a heavy vehicle to ensure the distribution of its products, at lower costs, whose efficiency has been confirmed by a truckers association. of these battery-powered trucks.
Jay Leno records the advice of the head of Tesla design and semi-engineering
We have already published articles here with the conclusions of customers after using the Semi, as well as the conclusions of independent entities on the costs of electric trucks, information intended to help transporters decide whether Class 8 trucks already offer advantages in terms of operation. But this time the opinion on the new Semi, which will soon go into series production, is given to us by the renowned journalist and television presenter Jay Leno.
Jay Leno was the first member of the press allowed to drive the Semi, accompanied by the model’s designer, Franz von Haolzhausen, and the engineer in charge of the Semi project, Dan Priestley. The men from Tesla were in charge of explaining how the battery-powered truck works, while Leno was in charge of giving his opinion on one of the most anticipated vehicles by companies that operate heavy transport vehicles, both American and European.
In the following video, several secrets were made public by the popular Jay Leno, who presented the tonight’s show starting in 1992 and for 17 years, and then jumping to The Jay Leno Show and, more recently, for the Jay Leno’s garage, always on NBC. Until now unknown data of the innovative truck are revealed, from the total installed power, which is around 1,500 HP, to the costs of use and the technology used, highlighting the differences between two drive axles, one of which is optimized for its operation. on the road and the second for situations in which torque is essential:
Source: Observadora
