Tesla electric semi truck possibly spied in new photo

[Hamartia Antidote]

https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/03/tesla-electric-semi-truck-possibly-spied-in-new-photo/

Is this the new semi truck Tesla is set to unveil at the end of this month? The truck, posted to Reddit (then deleted, then re-posted) bears more than a passing resemblance to the image shared in a teaser released by the automaker itself (via The Verge). The sleek angled front also looks like something you’d expect to be electrically powered, if that makes any sense.

You can compare it yourself to the mostly shadowy teaser image shared by Tesla itself, but the main unifying factor here might be those flared fenders and angled headlights, which you can pretty clearly make out in the Reddit spy shot, too. The photo above was taken “somewhere in California,” where apparently Tesla has been known to test vehicles in the past.


Tesla’s officially revealing its semi truck on October 26, at an event teased by Elon Musk himself. The truck is rumored to have a range of between 200 and 300 miles on a single charge, which would be very impressive for an all-electric heavy-duty transport vehicle, though not something that’s suitable for long-haul trips. The big question will be how it charges – and how fast.

 

[Clutch]

The range is still not enough for the trucking industry to adopt the platform.

For America a 1,000 mile range electrical truck will be a game changer... not this.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

The range is still not enough for the trucking industry to adopt the platform.

For America a 1,000 mile range electrical truck will be a game changer... not this.

Depends upon the type of trucking. If it's from a local distribution point (i.e. Food warehouse sending trucks to supermarkets) the range may not need to be excessive.

 

[razgriz19]

Exactly. And they need to start somewhere in order to improve on it. I'm sure the range will increase in future. But this will only work in hot climate for now

 

[Clutch]

Depends upon the type of trucking. If it's from a local distribution point (i.e. Food warehouse sending trucks to supermarkets) the range may not need to be excessive.

That is true... however it is a much smaller market... large trailer trucks are prohibited on most inner city roads due to restrictions

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

That is true... however it is a much smaller market... large trailer trucks are prohibited on most inner city roads due to restrictions

I guess that depends upon the city and their restrictions.

I would assume the double/triple tandem ones are certainly banned. But I see regular 18 wheelers on the streets of Boston.

 

[Gomig-21]

Tesla’s officially revealing its semi truck on October 26, at an event teased by Elon Musk himself. The truck is rumored to have a range of between 200 and 300 miles on a single charge, which would be very impressive for an all-electric heavy-duty transport vehicle, though not something that’s suitable for long-haul trips. The big question will be how it charges – and how fast.

Being a heavy duty truck user for over 20 years, my biggest question wouldn't be how fast it charges (although that is pretty important), but what is the payload and hauling capacity.

The day they can make an electric pickup that outperforms (or even equals) an F-450 dually (or even an F-350./F-150), in torque, power, hauling and payload capacity then the aggravation of having to constantly worry about plugging it in and charging it over periodically filling her up at a gas station might be a consideration.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Being a heavy duty truck user for over 20 years, my biggest question wouldn't be how fast it charges (although that is pretty important), but what is the payload and hauling capacity.

The day they can make an electric pickup that outperforms (or even equals) an F-450 dually (or even an F-350./F-150), in torque, power, hauling and payload capacity then the aggravation of having to constantly worry about plugging it in and charging it over periodically filling her up at a gas station might be a consideration.

Just to give PDF viewers an understanding of how large the trucks you are talking about can be...yes in the US vehicles can be immense.

I think it is only a matter of time before they get the quick charge time down to something reasonable. For now it may be a bit of a hassle.

 

[Gomig-21]

I think it is only a matter of time before they get the quick charge time down to something reasonable. For now it may be a bit of a hassle.

To me, the charge hassle would get ignored if the powertrain is equal or better. If you get the results of a 6.7 liter V8 turbo diesel that is actually quiet and not rattling like the old days, and the torque of the transmission in that truck, then I think it would be a consideration for sure.

Something just tells me it would be very difficult to equal the power of this engine and transmission.

ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled pushrod 32-valve diesel V-8, iron block and aluminum heads, direct fuel injection

POWER: 440 hp @ 2800 rpm
TORQUE: 925 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode (which is a terrific feature!)
Zero to 60 mph: 8.0 sec
Zero to 80 mph: 13.8 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 8.6 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 4.2 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 6.1 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 16.1 sec @ 86 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 88 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 209 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.69 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
C/D observed: 13 mpg (not great but for an engine and truck that size...)
C/D observed 75-mph highway driving: 16 mpg (not bad)
C/D observed highway range: 760 mi (not too shabby)

Standard F-350/450 towing of 21,000 lbs which is essentially 10.5 tons
F-450 dually with the fifth wheel has a towing of 31,300 lbs which is 15.65 tons
Payload is 5,410 lbs which is 2-1/2 tons.
Gross vehicle weight is 14,000 lbs.

So between the engine's 440 HP and the tranny's torque and that payload and towing, to have an electric engine that beats what is essentially a fuel injected diesel combustion engine with that powertrain just seems like a long way away. I could be wrong since there's this semi they're putting together you posted. Would love to know what the the engine's power is for that Tesla semi since a semi produces even more power and has a larger payload than the largest pickup.

BTW, that pic of the dually you posted is pimped out, man. It has the raised suspension, super chrome alloy rims without the front wheel 4x4 hub cap, extended rear axle and a RAM air induction scoop hood lol. You see that orange lens for the blinker on the mirror to the right of the guy's head? I broke it on a tree trying to park in a tight spot and I knew I was in trouble because the way they make them, it looked like it was part of the entire electrically rotated/extended and folding mirror. Luckily it wasn't and only cost $250 and not $1,300 for the whole mirror!