TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

Tesla Semi Acceleration Smokes The On-ramp

Discussion in 'Semi' started by Curt Renz, Feb 21, 2019.

  1. jerry33

    jerry33 (S85-3/2/13 traded in) X LR: F2611##-3/27/20

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2012
    Messages:
    19,487
    Location:
    Texas
    Agreed. Trucking isn't like many other industries where there is a commonality of actions. It's as varied as the industries trucking serves. An analogy would be to equate football with ping pong because they both use balls. If you haven't ever been involved with the trucking industry, it's unlikely that you've thought about how different the needs of hauling different products or materials can be.
     
    • Informative x 1
    • Like x 1
  2. TYCharley

    TYCharley Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2016
    Messages:
    12
    Location:
    Cotopaxi, Colorado
    I am looking at a 40' to 45' 5th wheeler toy-hauler and would love to have the Tesla Semi in front of that. Charging at camp grounds and at my house, might take a bit longer.
    BUT if you got that much money, I would have time to wait.
     
  3. phillcom3

    phillcom3 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2019
    Messages:
    566
    Location:
    preston
    this dos seam a logistics issue with any truck not one specific to tesla though right?
     
  4. AMPd

    AMPd Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2012
    Messages:
    4,245
    Location:
    Northern California
    Yes it’s an issue regardless of what kind of truck is pulling the trailer.

    I had to refresh my memory but what I was saying is the acceleration is great, it’s just rarely going to be utilized. You don’t want to be flooring the truck from every take off.
     
  5. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2012
    Messages:
    10,212
    Location:
    Maine
    But it'll be easier to tell when trucks are running empty. :D
     
    • Funny x 1
  6. Matt L

    Matt L Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2018
    Messages:
    1,050
    Location:
    OK USA
    Yeah, I’m sure truck drivers wouldn’t ever want a little more acceleration. Last I heard get drivers is a competitive endeavor these days...offering a Tesla may be a competitive edge.
     
  7. AMPd

    AMPd Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2012
    Messages:
    4,245
    Location:
    Northern California
    How would a tesla provide an edge? Acceleration alone will not do it, sure they can accelerate faster when the trailer is empty but most of the drivers have stuff in their trucks they wouldn’t want flying around.

    So please list a few things the tesla does better than a current luxury truck like Volvo that would attract company drivers
     
  8. Matt L

    Matt L Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2018
    Messages:
    1,050
    Location:
    OK USA
    Hmmm that’s a bit like asking what my 3 does better than other cars in its category. Seems like much of the same tech would be good.
     
  9. AMPd

    AMPd Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2012
    Messages:
    4,245
    Location:
    Northern California
    Yep. For company drivers the tesla truck isn’t much of an incentive.
    Trust me, I’m in charge of our fleet and it’s my job to spec trucks that will attract and retain drivers.

    Owners of the truck on the other hand have quite a few incentives, lower fuel costs, hopefully lower operating costs. And the biggest one is the environmental aspect, we burn millions of gallons of diesel per year, some nights I fall asleep wondering what it’s be like to completely replace our fleet with teslas. Glorious!
     
  10. DarthPierce

    DarthPierce Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2016
    Messages:
    233
    Location:
    Boulder, CO
    I am not a truck driver, and I don't know what's in a luxury truck like a Volvo, but off the top of my head, my list would be:

    Sophisticated, traffic aware, cruise control/lane keeping (Autopilot)
    No worries about overheated brakes in the mountains
    Ability to do 55+mph in the mountains (paid by the mile, so going faster is more money, as I understand it)
    Vastly superior traction control (going up a snowy pass for example)
    Greatly reduced risk of jack-knife with 4 independent motors for stability control
    Armored glass
    No need to shift
    No worries about noise control restrictions on engine braking
    Lower center of gravity (for the truck anyway)
    I'd be shocked if it cannot help plot/calculate an optimized back-up path and also self center to mate with a trailer
    Potential to get paid for delivering more goods if leading a convoy (hypothetical future capability)??
    Looking cool???
    Central driving position???
     
    • Like x 1
  11. AMPd

    AMPd Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2012
    Messages:
    4,245
    Location:
    Northern California
    Over heating the brakes is not an issue anymore, the only time that occurs is driver error which tesla can’t control. Our Volvo’s can hold back 80k pounds on 6% grades with no issue.

    Our trucks are automatic so drivers don’t shift. The stick shift is a thing of the past. Fuel economy is king

    Engine braking in the Volvo is very quiet. No issues there.

    Central driving position would be annoying. Think pulling up to a security gate and communicating through the window. Central driving position is just another case of tesla reinventing the wheel.

    As far as superior traction I don’t know, maybe, maybe not. No one knows yet.
    Looking cool is subjective. The only trucks that are considered “cool” are the classic kenworth w900 and the classic Peterbilt.
     
    • Helpful x 1

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC