Tesla\u2019s much anticipated \u201csemi\u201d was finally unveiled last week in Hawthorne, Calif.<\/p>\n
As reported by Truck News, CEO Elon Musk extolled the performance features of the semi: a range of 500 miles, zero to 60 mph of the tractor in just five seconds, zero to 60 of a fully freighted, 80,000-lb tractor-trailer in just 30 seconds. He boasted a cost per mile of US$1.25, compared to today\u2019s diesel truck cost of $1.51. He did not specify the trade cycle or the structure of the financing but did say that Tesla was aiming for zero breakdowns in a million miles of operation.<\/p>\n
According to Internet reports, truckload carrier J.B. Hunt\u00a0is among the first carriers to publicly reveal it has reserved \u201cmultiple Tesla semis.\u201d<\/p>\n
In reality, the reveal confirmed what the spy and tease photos had already disclosed: a cab forward Class 8 truck with exceptional smooth lines and promised great aerodynamic performance, a fact highlighted in Musk\u2019s remarks. He said that the 500-mile range was enabled by exceptional aerodynamics, with the semi scoring a drag coefficient of 0.36. He also noted the cab side extenders that actively fill the gap between tractor and trailer also contribute to the overall low drag.<\/p>\n
The trucks will most likely fill a distribution and drayage role, at least in the early stages. The semi is purely battery-electric.<\/p>\n
In his presentation, Musk said that 80% of truck distribution is less than 500 miles round-trip, so the semi can get out and back on those tasks on a single charge. For longer trips, the batteries can pick up a 400-mile charge in the short half-hour break mandated by hours-of-service regulations.<\/p>\n
The truck is also equipped with the full Tesla accident avoidance technology that prevents collisions and keeps the truck in-lane. It also includes Tesla\u2019s autonomous driving technology, and enables three-truck platooning, said Musk.<\/p>\n
Rob Penner, chief executive officer of Bison, told Trucknews.com \u201cI was down in Santa Clara earlier and was able to test drive the Tesla \u201cmule\u201d (Tesla tech in a Cascadia) and the performance was really impressive. They have been running this truck for about a year moving their own parts in and out of Nevada with very good performance data. Add the styling and safety features in their own ground-up truck design and one can\u2019t help but be optimistic about the future of this technology. We look forward to getting our hands on these trucks once they become available.\u201d<\/p>\n
Loblaw also acknowledged in a Tweet that it has placed an order for the trucks.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs part of our recent commitment to electrify our fleet, we have been in discussions with Tesla,\u201d the company tweeted. \u201cWe\u2019ve placed an order for a number of trucks and will have them in Canada as soon as they\u2019re available.\u201d<\/p>\n