Tesla’s Semi electric Class 8 truck has been showing off its remarkable real-world capabilities since its launch in the electric truck industry. Impressively, the Musk-led company’s Semi fleet has successfully transported more than 20,000 battery packs from Gigafactory Nevada to the Fremont Factory.
Giga Nevada’s battery pack shipments
Semi Truck Engineering Senior Manager Dan Priestley provided the major update as he released some key insights on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Phase 3 rules.
According to Mr. Priestley’s X post, Tesla’s Semi fleet has already shipped more than 20,000 battery packs out of Gigafactory Nevada to the Fremont Factory in California. He further highlighted the Tesla Semi’s capability to take the same route and transport the same cargo as diesel-powered trucks at a way lower operating cost.
“Every day, the Tesla Semi demonstrates that battery electric trucks can directly replace diesel trucks. With our own fleet of Semis, Tesla has shipped >20,000 battery packs out of Gigafactory Nevada to support Fremont vehicle builds. These trucks run the same route, carrying the same load (no load reduction for weight) as the diesel trucks running this route but at substantially lower operating cost. Now, it’s about scale.”
Dan Priestley, Semi Truck Engineering Senior Manager
With this significant development, the Tesla executive forecasts an earlier-than-expected “full market” battery-electric truck uptake.
“The EPA Phase 3 rules will help hasten the overall fleet transition to zero emissions and address the harmful particulate emissions and other pollutants from diesel trucks. In combination with the superior economics and experience that battery electric trucks provide, I expect full market adoption will occur faster than many think.”
Dan Priestley, Semi Truck Engineering Senior Manager
EPA’s final rule
For context, the EPA has released the final “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3” rule. The official website indicated that this new regulation imposes more stringent standards to cut heavy-duty vehicles’ C02 emissions starting in model year 2027.
Senior Manager Priestley commended the final rule, claiming that it will significantly boost industry-wide shift to clean heavy-duty vehicles.
The new rules will apply to HD vocational vehicles, including delivery trucks, refuse haulers, public utility trucks, transit, shuttles, and school buses, among others. It will also include tractors like day cabs and sleeper units.
EPA proposal to boost electrification of the trucking industry
Rohan Patel, Tesla’s Public Policy and Business Development VP, also glorified the EPA’s Phase 3 rules, asserting that the new pollution standards would rev up the adoption of electric trucks.
VP Patel also expressed similar views as Senior Manager Priestley that the company’s all-electric Class 8 truck is already showcasing its potential to lead the trucking industry soon.
