Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced on Twitter that the Tesla Semi has just completed a 500-mile drive with a total weight of 81,000 pounds, as per InsideEVs.
“Tesla team just completed a 500 mile drive with a Tesla Semi weighing in at 81,000 lbs!”
Notably, the drive may be a test run for the company to verify the crucial parameter before the initial client deliveries on December 1.
Performance
Tesla claims that the Semi uses less energy than 2 kWh/mile (1.24 kWh/km). Meanwhile, the battery‘s capacity would be less than 1,000 kWh (1 MWh) at a 500-mile range.
Targets
The Tesla Semi is currently manufactured in Reno, Nevada. In 2024, it intends to increase manufacturing to 50,000 units annually.
With an average daily production rate of over 100 vehicles, Tesla would rank among North America’s top producers of Class 8 trucks.
Tesla Semi’s initial prices (at the unveiling in 2017)
| Expected Base Price (300-mile range): | $150,000 |
| Expected Base Price (500-mile range): | $180,000 |
| Base Reservation: | $20,000 |
| Expected Founders Series Price: | $200,000 |
| Founders Series Reservation: | $200,000 |
| * Prices displayed in USD. International pricing will vary. |
Specifications
Below are the specifications of the Tesla Semi as of August 2022:
| Tesla Semi specs (August 2022) | |
| Load: | Full |
| Gross Combination Weight: | 82,000 lbs (37,195 kg) |
| Range: | about 300 miles (483 km) or 500 miles (804 km) (two battery options) |
| Energy Consumption: | less than 2 kWh/mile (1.24 kWh/km) |
| Estimated battery capacity (based on range and energy consumption): | 600 kWh or 1,000 kWh (1 MWh) |
| Acceleration 0-60 mph (96.5 km/h): | 20 seconds (when fully loaded) |
| Speed up a 5% Grade: | Highway speed limit |
| Powertrain: | 3 independent motors on rear axles (vs. four motors in the initial specs in 2017) |
| Fast Charging: | up to 70% of the range in 30 minutes |
| Estimated average charging power in 70% SOC window (based on specs): | 600 kWh battery: 840 kW 1,000 kWh battery: 1,400 kW (1.4 MW) |
| Fuel Savings (est.): | up to $200,000 over 3 years |
Later this week, additional details will be made public when the automaker executes the Class 8 electric semi’s official unveiling and first deliveries.
