New Tesla Electric Truck

Read through sthe replys and have some things to add.

The added weight of the batteries will be offset by the loss of the normal powertrain weight. Plus if it ends up that the batteries still add a significant amount more they may add in an excetion for the added weight like they did with apu's and similar anti-idle devices.

Charging issues will not be a problem for too long as truck stops will most likely start having charging station parking spots. States will most likely start implementing charging stations and rest stops too.

The hill climbing will be nice, but will use a lot of power. It would be nice to know the stopping power of the regenerative brakes and how much power they can produce on a long decent. If they could recharge 25% to 50% on the downside while controlling speed it would be awesome.

I see these taking over short haul routes really quickly with the big companies. The long haul guys will stay away, but the big companies may switch to more relay style routes until charging stations become more common.

I know I want one.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APU's:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

I don't like it.

That's all I'm saying.

I mean, a few days ago we were complaining about speeding trucks up not making a difference, and here we're in love with this thing's speed.

Just sayin'.

Those charging stations are definitely going to be a major weak link in this concept.

The claim on the Tesla site is an 80% recharge during a driver's 30 minute break. Also there's a claimed 300-500 miles per charge.

As for the number of stations, I've seen some electric charging stations in a few Texas truck stops, already.

Now think of the parking problems when they start tearing up truck stops to put the charging stations in!!

Am I the only Tesla skeptic that seems to think that each new "visionary" idea that this "visionary man" comes up with is purposely designed and promoted mainly to raise much needed funds to help finance the projects that they already have active orders for, but can't seem to produce in a timely or efficient manner?

Am I the only Tesla skeptic that seems to think that each new "visionary" idea that this "visionary man" comes up with is purposely designed and promoted mainly to raise much needed funds to help finance the projects that they already have active orders for, but can't seem to produce in a timely or efficient manner?

Ah yes, the stark realities of big business.

The self-driving vehicle thing is also a bunch of baloney. They're not within a longshot of those things being on the road. But they keep claiming they're almost there and that it's going to be totally revolutionary so that everyone will get out their wallets and start funding these research professors and tech startups so they don't miss out on the big windfall that's coming!

Today's Top 3 "Super Hype Awards" go to:

1) The Electric Truck Revolution

2) The Self-Driving Vehicle Revolution

3) The 3 mph Speed Increase Revolution

Oh man, I just looked at this...

That is funny Brett - the people in this truck stop are all looking at me, wondering why I just busted out in an all out belly laugh.

If it wasn't for government subsidies, Tesla would have folded long ago, because they would be too expensive. Australia never offered them and not one Tesla has been sold there. An alternative way to spell government subsidy is: your tax money.

Are far as charging stations just popping up everywhere, not going to happen without massive subsidies. All the wiring, all the upgraded electric utility output on an already strained system. An 80% charge in 30 minutes is only from a Tesla supercharger, not just plugging in a wall outlet somewhere. Until we see some real world numbers, not just Tesla talking points/advertising I remain skeptical.

Today's Top 3 "Super Hype Awards" go to:

1) The Electric Truck Revolution

2) The Self-Driving Vehicle Revolution

3) The 3 mph Speed Increase Revolution

This is so true.