Tesla has stopped taking online reservations for its class-8 electric Semi truck. The automaker also revamped the website for Tesla Semi with new pics and videos to better highlight the features.
One interesting change has happened in the specs though, Tesla is now advertising the Semi with 3 electric motors instead of 4 independent motors stated previously.
3 Motors
However, the removal of one motor from the rear axles did not affect performance specifications such as range (300 or 500-mile variants), acceleration (0-60 in <20 secs), and energy consumption of less than 2 kWh per mile.
Three independent motors provide instant torque and unmatched power at any speed so drivers can merge safely and keep pace with traffic. Accelerate from 0-60 mph in 20 seconds, fully loaded, and maintain highway-level speeds even up steep grades.
Tesla Semi new drivetrain / motors and specs; from the company’s official website.
It is interesting to see that Tesla is able to crank out the same level of performance with 3 motors that the Semi was able to leverage with 4 motors.
When Tesla Semi was first unveiled in November 2017 its specs revealed 4 independent motors. These motors were actually the ones used in the then newly-launched Tesla Model 3 cars.
In the last 4-5 years, with Tesla constantly innovating its products, the electric motors that the automaker produces in-house have also come a long way.
With the launch of the Model S/X Plaid last year, Tesla unveiled AC permanent magnet motors with carbon-fiber-wrapped rotors. The applied engineering in these new motors is far superior compared to the original Tesla Model 3 motors.
Perhaps, for the Tesla Semi, the automaker is now using the new more efficient and powerful Model S/X Plaid motors. This is why there is no need for a 4th motor to get the same level of performance from the Semi.
Interior
Tesla also released a new short video clip of the unique interior of the Tesla Semi truck. It’s a unique truck cabin because of the dual 15″ screens on both sides of the steering wheel.
The steering wheel itself has been thoroughly refined in terms of design what it used to be on the early prototypes. It now has roller balls like the Model 3/Y steering and buttons for various functions are now visible. A much more finished look geared towards production.
The stalks are missing on the Semi steering just like the Yoke on the new Model S/X. The elimination of the steering wheel stalks is going to slowly transition to all future Tesla vehicles because Tesla’s design philosophy is invested in minimalism.
Semi comes standard with active safety features that pair with advanced motor and brake controls to deliver traction and stability in all conditions. A central seating position gives the driver better visibility, while an all-electric architecture reduces both rollover risk and cabin intrusion in case of an accident.
Tesla Semi interior and safety features; from the company’s official website.
Charging
Tesla Semi specs on the new website show that the truck can be charged up to 70% in just 30 minutes. This high-speed charging is possible due to the Megachargers that Tesla has invented specially for the Semi.
The first Megacharger station has already been built by the electric automaker at its Gigfactory Nevada. This is also the site where Tesla set up the first production line of the Semi truck last year.
Charging with electricity is approximately 2.5 times cheaper per mile than refueling with diesel.* Operators can see estimated fuel savings of up to $200,000 within their first three years of ownership. With remote diagnostics, over-the-air software updates and fewer moving parts to maintain, operators will spend less time at service centers and more time on the road.
Tesla Semi charging and gas savings information; from the company’s official website.
*Based on average diesel prices in California between February 2022–July 2022 and typical electric rates.
Tesla has currently replaced the Reserve Now button with the Get Updates button on the Tesla Semi-official webpage. Meaning the reservations are at least closed for the public and individuals — corporations might still be able to place fleet orders by directly contacting Tesla.
A backlog of thousands of orders might also be the reason for pausing the new Semi truck reservations.
The prices of the Tesla Semi are also omitted from Tesla’s website which used to be $150,000 for the base 300-mile (480 km) range variant and $180,000 for the 500-mile (800 km) version.
Since Tesla has been going through constant price increments this year, the Tesla Semi price must also have been increased but Tesla did not publish the new price yet.
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Is everyone actually drinking the Tesla Kool-aid on this one? First off no company or owner-operator cares about the 0-60 of their semi that metric is not relevant to the performance of a truck unless you’re a steering wheel holder. A pro driver is going to want to Brake Horse Power and Torque numbers as that is the metric needed for properly managing load to conditions and profitability when looking at a truck for your fleet. They are numbers that will be affected for the negative with the loss of the 4th motor and probably why they didn’t show off the truck with a Dyno sheet in the first place. You can’t see what was lost if you don’t know what you had. All other electric Class 8’s showed this figure to the world when they launched their prototype. It’s clear the writer is not the intended buyer of class-8 he doesn’t touch base on any of the important aspects. 30min stops for 70% range is 350 miles of driving under perfect conditions and is a 30min stop average drivers drive day is 600 miles using the low-end industry metric. That 30 min stop results in a $60 dollar loss in revenue for the driver resulting in $15,600 a year in revenue to the person who operates the truck. Based on a driver who takes optimal time off working only 260 days a year. The Average OTR driver spends 320 days a year on the road so the fuel savings gained is at the driver’s expense taken right from his pocket. If you argue the driver can charge on his 10Hr DOT break then we’ll that would result in blocking a charger for 10hr as the truck can’t move by law once that break starts and it would of also mean a $31,200 annual loss to the drivers paycheck as on the lowest end he already lost 100 miles of driving he could have done each work day due to the trucks best case scenario 500-mile range. If everyone once to really make the road greener and this a good thing for all parties and the planet Tesla should have developed a Diesel Electric hybrid with the drive system being electric motors and a Diesel motor to generate electricity. This would of increased the range over a standard semi by 3 times and its fuel consumption by 600% this is a figure that was seen by the railroads when they switched they switched to such a system and they did it at an added 68% to load capacity due to the instant electric Torque. Stop the hype look at the real figures and think of all parties when saying how amazing something is.
As soon as the word Diesel and then to top it off Hybrid was seen I switched off.