Tesla Semi Prototypes Racking Up Road Miles

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With sightings across the country, it seems the Tesla Semi prototypes are getting some road testing ahead of production.

A truck was was spotted in February traveling on California’s I-80 near Sacramento. And reports on social media in the past month have placed the Semi at the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis and an event for Pepsi employees in Dallas. Both companies have announced orders for the vehicle.

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Last week, both the short range, matte black Tesla Semi and the long range silver Semi were spotted by YouTube user Sergey MoldovanAmerican. The trucks were spotted near Danville, Calif., about 30 minutes from Tesla’s Fremont factory.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPwolixqqIk” video_title=”1″][vc_column_text]With the truck scheduled to go into production next year, sightings of the Semi being tested on public roads will likely be more frequent.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

 

[Jeff Hudson]

I wonder if they were hauling batteries?

 

[NeverFollow]

With sightings across the country,
it seems the Tesla Semi prototypes are getting some road testing ahead of production.

I wonder where the semi are recharged. I never saw any picture while charging.
However they must stop somewhere every 200 miles or so?

The plug combination seems quite interesting.

 

[GTKAZ]

I've seen them also plug into regular superchargers, however you statement that they need stop every 200 miles is inaccurate. They're supposed to have 600 mile range with a load (at least for the bigger battery truck)

 

[NeverFollow]

I've seen them also plug into regular superchargers

Does they use each of the 8 plugs?
They must have some special extension cable?
I imagine that they use only 4 plugs at the time, otherwise they would need very long extension cables?
Does they try avoiding sharing the same charger combination (A and B) to get optimum charging speed?

 

[Electroman]

They could be having a gas generator inside the trailer that charges the battery while driving ..

.. just saying

 

[GTKAZ]

Does they use each of the 8 plugs?
They must have some special extension cable?
I imagine that they use only 4 plugs at the time, otherwise they would need very long extension cables?
Does they try avoiding sharing the same charger combination (A and B) to get optimum charging speed?

All good questions I honestly don't have answers for. I'm sure we'll start seeing megachargers setup in the next 6 months and most likely at factories of the big buyers. I have a feeling the semi-truck will actually begin production ahead of schedule....for once lol

 

[scaesare]

I wonder where the semi are recharged. I never saw any picture while charging.
However they must stop somewhere every 200 miles or so?

The plug combination seems quite interesting.

They have a custom junction box currently that allows them to combine the outputs of two superchargers in to a plug that fits the Semi.

 

[scaesare]

I've seen them also plug into regular superchargers, however you statement that they need stop every 200 miles is inaccurate. They're supposed to have 600 mile range with a load (at least for the bigger battery truck)

The bigger pack is spec'd at 500 miles range, not 600.

However both the current test trucks purportedly are the smaller 300 mile range versions.

 

[GTKAZ]

The bigger pack is spec'd at 500 miles range, not 600.

However both the current test trucks purportedly are the smaller 300 mile range versions.

You're right, they did state 500 in the unveiling. When the truck is actually released remember this post

 

[muleferg]

Tesla Semi trucks spotted Supercharging near Sacramento on their first cargo trip

 

[scaesare]

Tesla Semi trucks spotted Supercharging near Sacramento on their first cargo trip

That article is a month old and has been discussed here quite a bit...

 

[dhanson865]

Does they use each of the 8 plugs?
They must have some special extension cable?
I imagine that they use only 4 plugs at the time, otherwise they would need very long extension cables?
Does they try avoiding sharing the same charger combination (A and B) to get optimum charging speed?

They use either an extension cord with 1 cable from a single supercharger pedestal or they use an extension that goes to a box that combines 2 cables from 2 pedestals.

It's not the normal method for charging the semi. There is a native larger charger connection without using the adapter / extension cord at a normal supercharger.

 

[Az_Rael]

They use either an extension cord with 1 cable from a single supercharger pedestal

It is too bad they don't sell that extension. Could be useful if you have been ICE'd or even can't back in due to a bike rack or something.

 

[muleferg]

That article is a month old and has been discussed here quite a bit...

I don't see it on this Posting.

 

[NeverFollow]

Tesla Semi trucks spotted Supercharging near Sacramento on their first cargo trip

It looks like the semi lost their tires side protection?

Also, I wonder why the black semi don't get the top roof like the silver one has to provide for better profiling?