Tesla is continuing to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy with electric cars, photovoltaic systems, and integrated renewable energy solutions. One of the U.S. company’s latest innovations is the Tesla Semi truck, a truck model with which CEO Elon Musk wants to revolutionize the world of large-scale transportation.
The very first units of the Tesla Semi will be put on the road by the end of 2021. Among the reasons that had delayed the timetable were supply problems with the new 4680 batteries developed by the American automaker.
The first models of the electric truck are expected to be used directly by Tesla for its operations, but if production really does start, it is likely that by the end of the year some customers may receive what they have long ordered. The list of orders is particularly long. Several large companies have ordered Tesla’s innovative trucks. Just to name a few, PepsiCo and the well-known supermarket chain Walmart have placed a major order of the electric trucks.
As the Tesla Semi enters production, the most interesting aspects to be discovered will be its final technical specifications. Over the years, the automaker has been able to refine its design. There is talk of 4680 cells, a 500 kWh battery pack and a range that could be increased to 1,000 km. Officially, however, the Tesla Semi (Class 8 truck) is still offered in two versions: one with 300 miles (482 km) and the second with 500 miles (804 km) of range.
When will it be put on the market?
Already there are some electric trucks on the road, but none with the specifications of Musk’s, which, according to the manufacturer’s statement at launch in 2017, and reported on the company’s U.S. website (where it can already be ordered), will be on the market by the end of 2021 and will have a capacity of 80 thousand pounds, or about 36 thousand kilograms, a range of 300 miles (482 km) or 500 miles (over 800 km), depending on the version. The former has a starting price of $150,000, the latter $200,000. For both, a down payment of 20 thousand must be made at the time of booking. In return, however, it would have the lowest operating cost of any semi-trailer.
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According to Tesla’s announcement in recent months, the electric truck will be able to travel up to 804 kilometers on a single charge and will be powered by four independent motors on the rear axles, with consumption limited to 1.25 kWh/km. A ‘Short Range’ version with a range of 483 kilometers is also expected.
In order to ensure such a high range, however, a large battery pack will be needed, and according to InsideEvs, the largest one will have a final capacity of as much as 878 kWh. Nearly eleven times the capacity of a Tesla Model 3 Long Range currently on sale.
The Tesla Semi will be a Class 8 semi-trailer and will be able to provide ample cargo capacity, with 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 20 seconds under load conditions of 36 tons, with a top speed uphill of 105 kilometers per hour.
