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Tesla semi is ill conceived...

Discussion in 'Semi' started by jr4488, Nov 19, 2017.

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  1. Farmertom

    Farmertom Member

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    You're right, I've only been to 75,000kg and 35m so far and 63,500kg all the way to 38m a few times (usually we go to 25m). I've run these in all conditions including busy highways and ice roads up north a few times. Nowadays I usually stay home when conditions deteriorate to -30, near zero visibility and/or snow drifts deeper than a foot.

    Guess what? It happens at least a couple times every year here. In extreme winds I can out pull five axle units loaded to 80,000lb with an eight axle unit grossing 136,000lb just because I'm almost three feet lower than them. This is on flat ground, the wind hits us about 45 to 60 degrees from the left. They are impossible to get past as when they get into my leeward side they can accelerate and stay with me. The speed limit is 110km/hr and we are usually drifting anywhere from 80 to 110 depending on gusts and such.

    They don't need to because they are so heavy?

    Steering a vehicle with motors on each wheel isn't the issue, you stated they were controlling the steering by manipulating the motors (using wheel brakes on a farm tractor), whole different concept...

    Those are regular truck tires, there's not enough market for racing tires for trucks. Possibly Michelins as they have softer casings. Doesn't really matter, 0 to 65 in 5 seconds with a truck is totally possible traction wise.

    ...when they figure out how to pack at least twice as much energy into them.[/QUOTE]
     
  2. Farmertom

    Farmertom Member

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    No, they are not clean but traction was point.

    Electricity will have it's own issues, just watch...
     
    • Disagree x 2
  3. jkn

    jkn Member

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    They simply cannot manufacture enough. Battery production is also limiting it. I guess Walmart is always limited by volume, not by weight:
    Even if Tesla semi cannot pull heaviest loads, they have customer for every truck they can produce.


    Rimac and others have computer controlling torque on each wheel. This is used to help steering. Farm tractor can only use brakes with slow human reaction time, but principle is same. Computer can react so fast that system is used at very high speeds.

    Could they spray something on tire to make rubber softer? Interesting question is: Can regular truck tires do better that 5 s acceleration? If not then Tesla semi is limited be traction and we don't know its mass.

    My guess is that battery energy density can double, but not more without metal-air batteries. Impurities in air could prevent recharging of those.

    Tesla semi will come to market with better batteries, but not twice as good we have now. Current batteries are good enough for semi.
     
  4. Farmertom

    Farmertom Member

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    Might want to rewatch that video... That "prototype" is a hybrid , closer to a Nikola one than a Tesla.

    Actual steering is still accomplished by the front wheels, they aren't on castors.

    On a computer you can do anything.

    We'll see...
     
  5. Farmertom

    Farmertom Member

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    Just curious, are there any Tesla taxis, buses, delivery vehicles etc out there?

    If not, can anybody guess why?
     
  6. tomas

    tomas Out of warranty...

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    @Farmertom, it becomes really annoying when one member takes over a thread and has to reply to absolutely everything. Really annoying. In some interpretations (including mine) it is against forum rules. It stifles conversation and ruins good threads.

    Tesla has not made busses or delivery vehicles because they are a fledgling company that started with luxury and sports cars and needed every penny of capital to move into mid price mainstream car. You will see many model 3 taxis in 5 years. Urban busses, taxis, and delivery vehicles are an EV slam dunk as they do not travel more than several hundred miles per day. Suburban or rural is a stretch. It just so happens Tesla prioritized semi first. As others have said, they will sell all they can make, and as their volume grows, they will increase range and charging infrastructure. Short sighted people doubted that strategy with the S/X. But now with range over 300 and chargers everywhere, even the formerly skeptical are buying... a short 5 years after introduction.
     
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  7. MP3Mike

    MP3Mike Well-Known Member

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    There are plenty of Teslas that are used as Taxis. (One Taxi company even installed their own Superchargers.)
     
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  8. jkn

    jkn Member

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    I noticed that. I also noticed similarities with it and Tesla semi. I have also followed news:
    J.B. Hunt, Wal-Mart climb aboard Tesla's electric truck
    Tells: "Wal-Mart said it plans to order a total of 15 Tesla trucks, five for the United States and ten for Canada."

    For WalMart that is enough for testing Tesla semi. Tesla could not replace all WalMart trucks very quickly anyway.

    When I'm driving small farm tractor with heavy load on snow and ice, front wheels could as well be on castors. I have to steer with brakes. It works very well. Of course only on low speed. With computer speed and instantly reacting electric motors it works on very fast sport car. Of course it will work on truck.
     
  9. scottf200

    scottf200 Active Member

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    #229 scottf200, Nov 28, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2017
    Apologize if this was shown already. Saw it in a presentation here: Tesla’s VP of Trucks talks about new electric semi, weight, charging, and more

    Drivers log on left and Thermal display on right. Obviously I zoomed in so some things are blurry. Wonder if the thermal display is for diagnostics and not part of the normal user interface.

    Semi display from video above:
    [​IMG]

    Car - Tesla Model X/S display:
    [​IMG]
     
    • Informative x 3
  10. AZ Desert Driver

    AZ Desert Driver Rare combination

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    I've just read 230 posts - so this observation might just get lost in the clutter here.

    Windshield that is hard to break.

    Elon said that's a big deal to truckers, but so far it has not been commented on as any sort of a deal. Why are Truckers not happy to have fewer windshields?

    Next - if Tesla has a product - like special glass...would you expect them to be selling that glass to other trucking companies (through Safe-light or other supplier). They could enter the car windshield market. They could make solar panels, solar tiles with this armor glass.
    [maybe that's where it came from?]
    I think this is big news. Another great product line from the brains at Tesla. My stock should reflect this.
     
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  11. brucet999

    brucet999 Active Member

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    M3 windshield and solar roof tiles are already using the new glass.
     
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  12. Big Earl

    Big Earl bnkwupt

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    I doubt very much that Tesla is making the semi windshields themselves. During the reveal, I actually wondered if the windshields are Gorilla Glass or similar.
     
  13. jkn

    jkn Member

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    I had exactly same thoughts. But when somebody mentioned solar tiles, I thought that they might have discovered new strong glass.
     
  14. Big Earl

    Big Earl bnkwupt

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    That's an excellent point that I hadn't considered. Tesla does have a penchant for vertical integration. Hmm...
     
  15. GarrickS

    GarrickS Member

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    Is this actually known? If the Model 3 had this new blast-proof glass, it would be an advertised selling point?
     
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  16. jkn

    jkn Member

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    Yes, but do they need to advertise M3 now?
     
  17. GarrickS

    GarrickS Member

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    There are many listed attributes on the Model 3 webpage. Go look at that list.

    Don't you think a blast proof windshield, that was featured prominently in the Semi unveil, what make that list.
     
  18. Big Earl

    Big Earl bnkwupt

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    I would be very surprised if the Model 3 had the stronger windshield glass. I would expect that to be a feature on the Model X, if anything.
     
  19. Krugerrand

    Krugerrand Is Cat

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    I have no idea anymore than you do. Until it is listed as a feature of the Model 3 don't assume it is or spread rumors like the original poster who said it was included on the Model 3. Be responsible when sharing information with others about anything.
     
  20. GarrickS

    GarrickS Member

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    Yes, that's exactly why I'm questioning it.
     

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