The Tesla Semi electric truck has once again gained attention through an independent study, as the results of more than 1,000 miles (approximately 1,609.34 kilometers) of driving under real-world conditions were made public. The study, organized by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE), aims to test several electric trucks under real-world conditions and publish the data in real time.
The 18-day test run of the "Run on Less" program has concluded, with the Tesla Semi driving 1,076 miles on its penultimate day. Although NACFE did not disclose the payload for this day, the average load was more than 70,000 pounds (about 31.78 tons).
This achievement should be a proud moment for Tesla and electric truck technology to break the limitations of traditional diesel trucks. There are well-founded opinions that all-electric semi-trucks like the Tesla Semi "may never" become practical because the batteries are too heavy. However, such test results show that the battery weight is proved feasible, which also means that electric trucks can compete with diesel trucks.
While the experimental results still need to be tested in other situations, the Tesla Semi has gotten a good starting point. The performance of Tesla's heavy-duty trucks exceeds expectations, which is one of the reasons why PepsiCo was the first to order a Tesla Semi. Tesla plans to begin deliveries of the Semi in December 2022, and PepsiCo may have already received 36 of the 100 Semis ordered, 15 of which will run at subsidiary Frito-Lay's plant in Modesto, California. Another 21 are operating in the main location of Sacramento.
A video released by PepsiCo showed four Tesla chargers installed at the Sacramento location, each with a power of 750 kilowatts and capable of charging the battery to 80% in less than 45 minutes. The video also mentions that the Semi can be charged from 5% to 10% to 95% in 20 to 30 minutes.
Unlike traditional gasoline or diesel vehicles, electric trucks emit no harmful emissions. This reduces urban and highway congestion and reduces the load on the atmosphere. Advances in electric truck technology provide a sustainable source of green energy and further reduce its negative impact on the environment.
On a larger scale, electric trucks will eventually change the way goods are transported. For environmental reasons, various types of electric trucks are becoming mainstream. The Tesla Semi is the brightest one, and more than 100 companies are also planning to launch their own electric trucks.
There will undoubtedly be more electric trucks on the road in the future, we'll just have to wait and see how they revolutionize the way trucking is done. With its unparalleled performance and long driving range, the Tesla Semi has proven to be a good starting point, and I believe there is even greater potential in the future.