Game Changer: Tesla unveils 500-mile-range Semi (and just for fun: 620 mile range Roadster)

[eleny]

"While a traditional diesel semi, without a trailer, may do 0-60 in 15- seconds, the Tesla Semi does it in 5 — an acceleration typical of an entry-level sports sedan. Fully loaded, Semi can accelerate to 60mph in 15-20 seconds (presentation and website differ), while a traditional diesel semi may take 45 seconds. While a traditional semi can only maintain 45mph while climbing a 5% grade, the Tesla Semi can maintain 65mph. This level of performance isn’t just about showing off; it has serious practical implementations on trip times, particularly in rough terrain (where the vehicle’s ability to regenerate on downslopes gives it an even bigger energy cost advantage over diesel)

Related to the power is the vehicle’s resiliency against failures. Tesla is offering a 1 million mile “zero breakdown” guarantee. Which may sound implausible until you remember: it’s powered by four separate motors. Even with two motors down it can still outperform a traditional diesel semi by large margins. This sort of “engine-out” capability is completely unheard of in the trucking world. It also boasts — via differential wheel throttling, since each drive wheel has its own motor — immunity to jackknifing.

Not to be outdone by itself, however, Tesla stole its own thunder by having a new vehicle drive out of a Semi: the new Roadster 2.0."
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/17/1716436/-Game-Changer-Tesla-unveils-500-mile-range-Semi-and-just-for-fun-620-mile-range-Roadster

[PoliticAverse]

1. They don't seem to be able to make the models they currently have in sufficient quantity...

to actually make a profit, will they be able to make these?

[eleny]

2. I sure hope so since we hope to make our next vehicle an electric with some oomph

[Demsrule86]

9. Tesla is amazing....hubs worked on some of this...they are doing it completely on their own

with multiple attempts to sabotage them by the government... both at the federal and state level. This is going to be a great company and it is the future...for those who are afraid of driverless cars...I would imagine that people who liked horse and buggies were frightened of cars in the early days of the 20th century.

[bagelsforbreakfast]

3. Amazing and REAL news for a change instead of the gossip mill

and debates. This should be a LEAD story. But should tie in the coming unemployment and point to guaranteed annual income to shore up America once all those truckers lose jobs to unmanned vehicles.

[eleny]

4. Unmanned vehicles scare the bejeesus out of me

[Codeine]

5. Millions of unskilled and inattentive drivers

should be far more frightening, but for some reason we all accept having multi-ton guided missiles in the hands of halfwits all operating within arms' reach of each other as just fine.

[Codeine]

7. Most people think they are good drivers

who make all sorts of split-second heroic decisions saving lives left and right. In truth the vast majority of them are regular old imbeciles who freeze up and do stupid shit in an emergency.

[Demsrule86]

10. There will never be a guaranteed income.

Never...

[Lee-Lee]

11. 500 miles is too short a range for OTR routes

So it won’t replace most trucks. But it may find a niche in more local delivery routes if the economy pays off.

I doubt it would be viable for the ones like local food delivery routes where there is more time parked and unloading than driving.

But for your regional runs like between a UPS hub and the local UPS facility the delivery trucks run from these could find a niche and work well.

[a kennedy]

12. Mal-wort has pre ordered 15 tesla electric tractor trailers......

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/walmart-says-its-preordered-15-of-teslas-new-electric-tractor-trailers/ar-BBF5MuO?srcref=rss