Image: Google maps
Update: A more detailed study of the image showed that it could have been taken in 2019. It remains unknown if the trucks seen on it are Tesla Semis.
The first deliveries of Tesla Semi are approaching and will take place in early December. 24 Semis were spotted at Giga Nevada, possibly in preparation for deliveries to customers.
The Tesla Semi wait was long, but it was worth it. Electric trucks are the missing piece for the industry and have the potential to change it forever. With high performance, Semi will save owners hundreds of thousands of dollars in charging and maintenance costs while reducing the carbon footprint of companies.
In early October, Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed that production of Semi had already begun. According to him, the first vehicles should be delivered to the giant, Pepsi, on December 1. He also revealed that production would start with the 500-mile version. Immediately after this announcement, Pepsi also confirmed that it expects truck deliveries in early December.
Semi is expected to be manufactured at Giga Texas, but for now, they are made at Giga Nevada. This has prompted a closer look at the location on Google Maps and @CountyMayoMan/Twitter recently noticed something interesting. In a container parking area, near a building believed to house a production line for a truck, 24 Tesla Semis were spotted. Keep in mind that the date of the picture is unknown, however this observation indicates that the company has actually started production.
— CountyMayoMan (@CountyMayoMan) October 18, 2022
On the manufacturer's website, Tesla Semi is described as “more powerful, more efficient” and this reflects the reality as its performance is impressive. The company, as before, offers two versions with different ranges: 300 miles and 500 miles. It is noteworthy that the range is indicated for trucks when fully loaded, which is an extremely important indicator. The gross weight of Tesla Semi with a fully loaded trailer is 82,000 pounds. In turn, the range of an unloaded Semi is sure to be incredibly impressive.
The exact battery capacity has not been disclosed, but the energy consumption per mile will be less than 2 kWh. With this figure, it can be assumed that the battery capacity will be around 600 kWh and 1000 kWh depending on the version.
With a full load, Tesla Semi will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 20 seconds. In addition, the truck will be able to reach the speed limit on highways with a 5% grade. These characteristics are extremely important for driving on the roads, as they allow trucks to safely and quickly overtake without blocking traffic, and reduce the likelihood of accidents. To make this possible, three independent motors provide instant torque and unmatched power at any speed.
Semi comes standard with active safety features that pair with advanced motor and brake controls to deliver traction and stability in all conditions. A central seating position gives the driver better visibility, while an all-electric architecture reduces both rollover risk and cabin intrusion in case of an accident.
One of the most notable benefits of Tesla Semi is its savings on fuel costs. The manufacturer said the electric truck is expected to save up to $200,000 over its first three years of ownership compared to a diesel competitor.
“Charging with electricity is approximately 2.5 times cheaper per mile than refueling with diesel.* Operators can see estimated fuel savings of up to $200,000 within their first three years of ownership. With remote diagnostics, over-the-air software updates and fewer moving parts to maintain, operators will spend less time at service centers and more time on the road.”
© 2022, Eva Fox | Tesmanian. All rights reserved.
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Article edited by @SmokeyShorts; follow him on Twitter
About the Author
Eva Fox
Eva Fox joined Tesmanian in 2019 to cover breaking news as an automotive journalist. The main topics that she covers are clean energy and electric vehicles. As a journalist, Eva is specialized in Tesla and topics related to the work and development of the company.
