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Tesla Semi

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The Tesla Semi is a battery electric semi-trailer truck built by Tesla, Inc. since 2022. The truck is powered by three motors, and according to Tesla has approximately three times the power of a typical diesel semi truck, a range of 500 miles (800 km), and can operate at an energy use of less than two kilowatt-hours per mile (1.2 kW⋅h/km).[2]

Tesla Semi
Tesla Semi operated by PepsiCo in Sacramento, California, October 2023. This is one of the units that were first delivered in December 2022.
Overview
ManufacturerTesla, Inc.
Production2022–present
AssemblyUnited States: Storey County, Nevada (Gigafactory Nevada)
Body and chassis
ClassSemi-trailer truck (Class 8)
Body styleTractor unit
Powertrain
Propulsion3 electric motors
Battery~900 kWh, 1,000 V[1]
Electric range500 mi (800 km)
Plug-in charging1 MW DC[1]

Two concept vehicles were unveiled in November 2017. Tesla CEO Elon Musk originally stated that production would begin in 2019.[3] Production began in October 2022, several years behind schedule,[4] and initial deliveries were made to PepsiCo on December 1, 2022.[5]

Volume production of the Semi is planned to begin by March 2026. Once complete, the manufacturing facility, located adjacent to the existing Giga Nevada facility, is planned to produce 50,000 Semi trucks annually. The volume production Semi is expected to weigh the same as a comparable diesel truck.[6]

History

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The Semi was first mentioned in the Tesla 2016 Master Plan for J.B Hunt.[7] Tesla said at the time that they have a working prototype that uses 'a bunch' of Tesla Model 3 electric motors.[8] As of April 2017, Jerome Guillen had been leading the Tesla Semi program. Guillen was once in charge of Freightliner's Cascadia Diesel-engine Class 8 semi, before joining Tesla to configure the Model S production line.[9][10], but left the Semi program a year later to lead one of the Model 3 general assembly lines[11] and subsequently became Tesla president of automotive in September 2018.[12] The new lead for the Semi program has not been publicly announced as of late 2019.

A concept prototype of the Semi was unveiled at a press conference on November 16, 2017, where Elon Musk provided additional specifics. He claimed that the electric Semi would cost 20 ¢/mi (12 ¢/km) less to operate than a diesel truck if charged at a Megacharger, which Tesla said in 2017 they could guarantee a price of 7 ¢/kWh (in the United States).[13][14]

 
Two prototype Tesla Semis in Rocklin, California

Tesla indicated that the Semi would be equipped with Enhanced Autopilot as standard equipment, offering semi-autonomous capability,[15] and that new technology with active safety controls on the independent motors and wheels would detect and prevent jackknifing.[14] Musk said that the system could eventually allow several units to operate in an autopilot-based convoy, led by a truck with a driver, that would be a cheaper alternative to rail transport.[16] At the time, platooning was legal in only eight U.S. states and all required a human driver in each truck, so changes in legislation would be necessary to achieve that technology capability.[16] The battery packs are located under the floor of the cab, between the front and driving wheels.[17] Running empty, the long-range Tesla Semi was expected to have a range of 620 miles (997 km).[18] In 2017, Tesla projected that the price of production versions for the 300-mile (480 km) and 500-mile (800 km) range versions would be US$150,000 and US$180,000 respectively. The company stated they would offer a Founder's Series Semi at US$200,000.[19][needs update]At the Semi and Roadster unveiling event, Musk stated "Production [of the semi] begins in 2019, so if you order now, you get the truck in 2 years." Tesla intends to warrant the drivetrain for 1 million miles.[20]

In 2018, Tesla announced that Semi prototypes were being tested with real cargo, hauling battery packs from Nevada to California.[21][22][23]

Company plans to put the Semi into production were substantially delayed. At the 2017 unveiling, production was slated to begin in 2019.[20] In January 2020, Musk stated that a lack of battery production capability was one limiting factor for the conservative Semi production timeline, with the company choosing to use battery supply for passenger cars instead.[24][25] In January 2021, the company announced that Semi production would be delayed until the end of 2021,[26] as the company hoped to ramp up high-volume production of its "tabless" 4680 battery cells[27] (previewed in September 2020) to meet the demand for the Semi and other vehicles. In October 2021, Musk announced that the production of the Semi would slip into 2023.[28][29][30]

In October 2022, Musk announced on Twitter the start of production of the 500-mile (800 km) range model that would be delivered in December.[31]

In November 2022, the company reported that a Tesla Semi had completed a 500 miles (800 km) drive while weighing 81,000 pounds (37,000 kg).[32][33]

On December 1, 2022, Tesla began customer deliveries at an evening event hosted at the manufacturing facility in Nevada. PepsiCo received the first Semis of their large order for use with Pepsi beverage and Frito-Lay snack food transportation fleets.[5] PepsiCo Vice President Mike O'Connell stated that the Semis can haul Frito-Lay food products for around 425 miles (684 km), but for heavier loads of sodas, the trucks will make shorter trips of around 100 miles (160 km).[34]

In late 2023, Tesla announced plans to establish a charging network for the Semi in the southwestern US. The network is expected to cost as much as $100M.[35]

As of May 2024, Walmart, Costco, Sysco, Martin Brower, and US Foods were also testing the Semi.[36] In August 2024 NFI tested the Semi and reported an efficiency of 1.64 kWh/mi with DHL reporting in October 2024 an efficiency of 1.72kWh/mi fully loaded at 34 metric tons gross-combined weight over 625km on a single charge.[37][38]

Design

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Cabin of a Semi prototype

Tesla Semi is powered by three carbon-fiber wrapped motors; it consumes 1.7 kWh/mi (1.1 kW⋅h/km). One motor operates continuously at optimal efficiency, while the other two motors provide additional power for acceleration and hills.[2] The Semi's aerodynamic design is inspired by the Japanese bullet trains.[39]

The driver's seat is centered in the cab. The ceiling allows an adult to stand up. Touchscreen displays are set on both sides of the steering wheel, with no other instrument panels.[40][needs update]

It includes the same camera set as Tesla's passenger vehicles. Tesla claims that its safety system can prevent jackknifing.[14][better source needed]

Tesla Semi has a 1,000 volt powertrain and charging system, an increase from Tesla's standard 400 volt system, but a capability Tesla also intends to extend to the Cybertruck.[2] Charging will be supported at a new generation of Tesla vehicle charging infrastructure called the Tesla Megacharger.

The Semi's turning radius is comparable to that of Model Y and Model 3, according to Tesla.[39]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Kane, Mark (2022-12-04). "Tesla Launches 1,000-Volt Powertrain: Semi Is First But Not The Last". Inside EVs. US. Archived from the original on 2022-12-30. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  2. ^ a b c Subramanian, Pras (2022-12-02). "Tesla Semi unveiled with tri-motor setup, megawatt charging tech". Yahoo! Finance. Archived from the original on 2022-12-04. Retrieved 2022-12-05.
  3. ^ Beckford, Andrew (2022-10-21). "Long-Delayed Tesla Semi Truck Seemingly Breaks Down, Causing Highway Delays". Motor Trend. Motor Trend Group. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  4. ^ Montanez, Abby (2022-10-07). "Tesla Will Deliver Its First Hotly Anticipated Semi Trucks to PepsiCo This December". Robb Report. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  5. ^ a b Tarantola, A. (2022-12-01). "Tesla finally delivers its first production Semi". Engadget. Archived from the original on 2023-01-31. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
  6. ^ Aregay, Tinsae (2024-07-18). "Tesla's Semi Factory Construction Advancing Rapidly to 50,000 Tesla Semis a Year | Torque News". www.torquenews.com. Archived from the original on 2024-07-21. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  7. ^ Bhuiyan, Johana (2016-07-20). "Elon Musk's Master Plan: Solar power, Tesla trucks, self-driving cars and car-sharing". Recode. Archived from the original on 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2017-11-18.
  8. ^ Lambert, Fred (2017-05-03). "Tesla Semi is using 'a bunch' of Model 3 electric motors, says Elon Musk". Electrek. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2017-11-17.
  9. ^ Lambert, Fred (2017-04-13). "Tesla Semi all-electric truck to be unveiled in September and be 'next level', says Elon Musk". Electrek. Archived from the original on 2017-09-08. Retrieved 2017-11-17.
  10. ^ Lambert, Fred (2017-11-26). "Tesla's VP of Trucks talks about new electric semi, weight, charging, and more". Electrek. Archived from the original on 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
  11. ^ Kolodny, Lora (2018-06-16). "Elon Musk tells Tesla employees that 'radical improvements' are needed to hit quarterly targets". CNBC News. Archived from the original on 2019-10-17. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  12. ^ Wang, Christine (2018-09-07). "Tesla says Jerome Guillen has been promoted to president of automotive". CNBC News. Archived from the original on 2019-10-17. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
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  17. ^ Davies, Alex (2017-11-16). "Elon Musk Has Unveiled Tesla's All-Electric Semitruck". Wired. Archived from the original on 2021-01-24. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
  18. ^ Drouglazet, Klervi (2017-11-17). "Tesla Semi : ce qu'il faut savoir sur le camion électrique semi-autonome de Tesla" [Tesla Semi: What you need to know]. L'Usine nouvelle (in French). Retrieved 2018-09-18. Il a une autonomie de 997 km à vide et de 804 km à charge maximum : 40 tonnes de marchandises.
  19. ^ Tung, Liam (2017-11-24). "Tesla's all-electric Semi truck: Prices start at $150,000 and you can reserve one today". ZDNet. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
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  22. ^ Lambert, Fred (2018-08-25). "Tesla Semi made it 'across the country alone' with only Supercharger network and an extension cord, says Elon Musk". Electrek. Archived from the original on 2018-08-27. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
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  29. ^ Shahan, Zachary (2021-10-08). "Tesla Cybertruck Delayed Till End Of 2022, Semi 2023 – Lot Of Supply Chain Challenges". CleanTechnica. Archived from the original on 2024-09-13. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  30. ^ Lockridge, Deborah (2021-10-11). "Tesla Semi in 2023?". Heavy Duty Trucking. Archived from the original on 2022-01-03. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  31. ^ McFarland, Matt (2022-10-07). "Tesla set to deliver long-delayed electric trucks to Pepsi in December". CNN Business. Archived from the original on 2022-11-02. Retrieved 2022-10-10.
  32. ^ Mulach, Jordan (2022-11-29). "Tesla Semi reportedly completes 800km range test, US deliveries to begin within days". Drive. Archived from the original on 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
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  34. ^ "PepsiCo is using 36 Tesla Semis in its fleet and is upgrading facilities for more in 2023, exec says". CNBC. US. 2022-12-16. Archived from the original on 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  35. ^ "Report: Tesla seeks $100M from US for Semi charging route". 2023-08-02. Archived from the original on 2023-11-02. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  36. ^ "Tesla's Power Play: Costco, Sysco, and US Foods Jump on the 'Electric Semi Bandwagon'". EV-a2z. US. 2024-05-09. Archived from the original on 2024-09-13. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  37. ^ Lambert, Fred (2024-10-14). "DHL tests Tesla Semi and confirms the electric truck's impressive performance". Electrek. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  38. ^ https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-semi-latest-fleet-customer-details-efficiency-advantages/
  39. ^ a b Levin, Tim (2023-10-03). "Jay Leno towed 30 tons with a Tesla Semi and said it felt like nothing". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 2024-09-13. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  40. ^ O'Dell, John (2017-11-17). "Elon Musk Unveils Superfast, 500-mile Range Tesla Electric Semi-Truck". Trucks.com. Archived from the original on 2017-11-22. Retrieved 2017-11-17. He provided no pricing information or specifics as to horsepower or torque figures.
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