The specs Tesla announced for its upcoming Semi outpaced the industry standard to such a degree that it raised eyebrows. Daimler AG’s head of trucks has even gone so far as to question the legitimacy of Tesla’s claims.
“If Tesla really delivers on this promise, we’ll obviously buy two trucks – one to take apart and one to test because if that happens, something has passed us by,” Martin Daum said at an industry event this week, according to Bloomberg. “But for now, the same laws of physics apply.”
Tesla has said the Semi is capable of 0 to 60 mph in 20 seconds with an 80,000 pound load; Speed up a 5% Grade at 60 mph; 300 or 500 miles of range depending on the model; energy consumption of less than 2 kWh per mile; and fuel savings of more than $200,000 over a million miles.
Now, in the face of naysayers, Elon Musk is saying the Semi will do better than the first specs announced.
“Am feeling optimistic about beating the Semi specs announced at the unveiling for the same price,” he said Friday in a tweet. “The Tesla Semi will be something really special.”
The Tesla Semi is slated to go into production next year.