Tesla semi

[daugen]

Coming next month. This has always made sense to me because a big truck has the size and power to haul a lot of batteries around.
Now what about a high speed wind turbine on top? or somewhere...generate electricity while you drive down the interstate, help charge your batteries in
addition to the entire top of the trailer being solar panels one would assume.
Big long haul trucks average perhaps 500hp today. Let's assume the electric folks are going for the lighter weight loads to start.
So four 100 hp electric motors and 2500 torque. Instant torque. Half to be careful with loads and traction perhaps.

Everything will likely be automatic, trucks will move along in long adaptive cruise control controlled lines.
Until Larry Loser in the passing lane sees his exit while texting and rips across four lanes right in front of
Musk's giant moving battery powered truck. Then we'll see what safety tricks he has up his sleeve.
If you have seen the Youtube video of the newish Volvo semi stopping in a remarkably short space avoiding a collision
with a car that pulled right in front of them, you can tell there is a new day for big trucks coming. At least for the major operators.

If they can make the economic and ecological case for electric semis, I think we will start to see these on the highway.
Will guess that intercity will be first. Not like these things are going to fit in his supercharger setups he has already built; those are all regular parking spaces.
Somebody has to take the first step and Tesla seems to like that role. I just wonder when he is going to run out of money...his money
and ours. I hope he doesn't; what has been accomplished is remarkable.

Cab companies have gone hybrid and I think in some test cases plug in.

I don't think diesel is dead anytime soon, but how soon do you think you might be driving an electric truck?

 

[two_bit_score]

Coming next month. This has always made sense to me because a big truck has the size and power to haul a lot of batteries around.
Now what about a high speed wind turbine on top? or somewhere...generate electricity while you drive down the interstate, help charge your batteries in
addition to the entire top of the trailer being solar panels one would assume.
Big long haul trucks average perhaps 500hp today. Let's assume the electric folks are going for the lighter weight loads to start.
So four 100 hp electric motors and 2500 torque. Instant torque. Half to be careful with loads and traction perhaps.

Everything will likely be automatic, trucks will move along in long adaptive cruise control controlled lines.
Until Larry Loser in the passing lane sees his exit while texting and rips across four lanes right in front of
Musk's giant moving battery powered truck. Then we'll see what safety tricks he has up his sleeve.
If you have seen the Youtube video of the newish Volvo semi stopping in a remarkably short space avoiding a collision
with a car that pulled right in front of them, you can tell there is a new day for big trucks coming. At least for the major operators.

If they can make the economic and ecological case for electric semis, I think we will start to see these on the highway.
Will guess that intercity will be first. Not like these things are going to fit in his supercharger setups he has already built; those are all regular parking spaces.
Somebody has to take the first step and Tesla seems to like that role. I just wonder when he is going to run out of money...his money
and ours. I hope he doesn't; what has been accomplished is remarkable.

Cab companies have gone hybrid and I think in some test cases plug in.

I don't think diesel is dead anytime soon, but how soon do you think you might be driving an electric truck?

What is the amount of government subsidy in each one of those?

 

[daugen]

What is the amount of government subsidy in each one of those?

I don't know, though I wonder how much of the debt is govt backed.
How about all those solar panel companies we ate the bill for?
Just hope this isn't going to happen again.

 

[vvanders]

It'll be interesting. Tesla already does 800+HP in their cars so power generation isn't an issue.

We just came back from a jaunt up the mountains, didn't have to touch the brakes once coming back down for ~40mi. The battery pack makes a great place to store energy running downhill.

Also daugen, I fully expect to that this thread will get locked in ~5 pages. There's more than a few people here who like to come out of the woodworks any time EVs are mentioned and they don't really keep things civil.

 

[two_bit_score]

It'll be interesting. Tesla already does 800+HP in their cars so power generation isn't an issue.

We just came back from a jaunt up the mountains, didn't have to touch the brakes once coming back down for ~40mi. The battery pack makes a great place to store energy running downhill.

Also daugen, I fully expect to that this thread will get locked in ~5 pages. There's more than a few people here who like to come out of the woodworks any time EVs are mentioned and they don't really keep things civil.

Sounds like you might know a bit about Tesla.

Have they ever made an actual profit yet, as a company?

 

[vvanders]

Not yet, but they're in massive capital expansion so it's expected. Their margins minus expansion + R&D are well above similar mfgrs. If they weren't doing Model 3 + Semi they could turn a nice profit right now but that doesn't tend to be how Musk operates(see SpaceX).

We've had our Tesla for ~2.5 years, super happy and the car has been awesome. Still have 98% capacity at 61k miles and it doesn't have any right to drive nearly as well as it does for a five thousand pound car.

Happy to answer any questions, if you want.

 

[two_bit_score]

Most owners seem to be very satisfied with the vehicles. Im glad you are satisfied with yours. A few have complained about service. Have you ever had any service done by Tesla? How was it? Do you have anyone other than Tesla that can service it?

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Now what about a high speed wind turbine on top? or somewhere...generate electricity while you drive down the interstate, help charge your batteries

:banghead:


That wind turbine produces drag. That drag has to be overcome. That drag has to be overcome by using more electricity from the battery. In a perfect (non-existent) world, where systems are 100% efficient, the most electricity you could generate from a wind turbine would be exactly equal to the force required to drive wind turbine.

It's exactly like trying to cool your room by powering a fan from a wind turbine driven by... your fan.









The Museum of Unworkable Devices

 

[vvanders]

Ironically Komatsu is working on a joint venture for a dump truck that generates electricity(Meet the E-dumper, the world's largest electric vehicle). However it's from hauling rock downhill so it doesn't violate any conservation of energy laws. Goes up empty and then generates electricity during braking on the downhill.

On the maintenance front there's not really a ton to do on a Tesla(or any EV for that matter). There's one at 50k for swapping the coolant in the pack, but aside from that the other ones are just inspections. I did have Tesla do it since I was pretty busy at the time. They've got a little long of a wait but nothing unbearable.

Aside from the coolant and tires there's pretty much nothing for maintenance on the car. You only use the brakes at < 5mph so for all purposes they aren't a wear item. If you have cheap electricity like we do in WA($0.07/kWh) then the running costs are a fraction of similar car.

 

[dragoneggs]

I could see us getting a Tesla next time around. Haven't drove one yet but ride comfort and safety is very important to me. I have bought three BMW 7 series cars 1988, 98, and now wife driving an 08. But I always buy them coming off a 3 year lease with 30K miles on them. I'm an F-150 guy myself but don't mind driving her car when we go out together! Maybe we change it up in '18.

Curious as to ride quality, noise, etc with Tesla.

 

[vvanders]

Yeah, picking them up after the depreciation hit is smart.

Ride quality is always subjective but I like it on the air suspension. The battery pack sits so low that the center of gravity is actually below the axle. For a car that's ~5k GWV it has virtually zero body roll because of it.

Noise is great, there's a slight gear-whine you get out of the step-down gear they use but much better than anything I've been in.

One area you'll probably see the BMW better on is interior and fit+finish. Personally I've never really cared about that so much and I find the minimal style to be nice but some people get picky about it.

Really the best thing to do is give one a test drive, although I think the closest for you would be Seattle which is a bit of a drive. It's hard to describe how "snappy" they feel since you've got no momentum in the drivetrain or transmission that has to shift down. From creeping at < 2mph up to cruising at 70 they're just super responsive. Also mountains of torque from any point. Really needs to be experienced to give it justice.

 

[dragoneggs]

I did get a chance to right seat test one out at their R&D center years ago. Visiting their facility on business... had to sign a non disclosure agreement first. One thing that was extremely impressive was the zero to 60. Way quicker off the line than anything I have ever driven! :thumbsup:

Always wondering about battery life though. Heard the battery replacement was $$$$$$$. Maybe they have improved to the point that this isn't an issue. It was early on.

 

[vvanders]

Yeah, they've largely solved the battery life problem by getting proper thermal management. Like I said earlier, I've got 61k and only seeing ~2% degradation. There's a couple 100k+ ones out there that show degradation actually tapers off after the first ~30k miles.

 

[dragoneggs]

Yeah, they've largely solved the battery life problem by getting proper thermal management. Like I said earlier, I've got 61k and only seeing ~2% degradation. There's a couple 100k+ ones out there that show degradation actually tapers off after the first ~30k miles.

Good to hear... trying to get my butt inside the doors at the new Reno battery plant.

 

[daugen]

:banghead:


That wind turbine produces drag. That drag has to be overcome.

The Museum of Unworkable Devices

great reply, thanks. Ok Ok....but I do like the magnet one!
but I wonder why one has to assume the loss is 100 percent.
Was thinking while some drag, might be a net add.
But I'll accept the fact that isn't likely.

Now where can I find a great big magnet...

Several thousand pounds of battery weight shouldn't affect a big rig like it would a car. Really I would think it's all about will the battery pack last long enough and will it
move the truck in the manner needed. Maintaining speed up a long hill is likely a lot more important than fast acceleration. Plus you have to charge a huge battery pack now, where's that going to be done? Most likely some overnight truck terminal.

Personally, once you get to sixty in under five seconds, more power isn't very useful most of the time, and I'm a guy
whose nickname in high school was dual quad... Always wanted 20 more hp and 20 less pounds (on me). sound familiar?....

By promoting the Insanity Mode, Tesla is just using great marketing. Provide an awesome experience no one else can give for the price.
Though I suppose if you bought a Dodge Demon for the same price you could get the same rubbery face effect.
Personally I want the interior to be as nice as it can be. And not so complicated I need a 800 page manual that is so big they can no longer print manuals.
And what's with these silly shift knobs coming out now on new cars? Pushbuttons on the dash all over the place now, like the early Chryslers.
Anything I suppose to get folks to make sure they are in Park.

Lots of folks wonder if Musk is going too many places too fast all at one time. But so far, his rockets take off and his cars have been well received.
Interior too minimal for me, but I sure like the idea.
All they need is a rotary dash exhaust sound selector knob for:
1. Mustang 5.0
2. GM small block
3. GM big block
4. Chrysler Hemi
5. Your pick

 

[4570Man]

great reply, thanks. Ok Ok....but I do like the magnet one!
but I wonder why one has to assume the loss is 100 percent.
Was thinking while some drag, might be a net add.
But I'll accept the fact that isn't likely.

Now where can I find a great big magnet...

Several thousand pounds of battery weight shouldn't affect a big rig like it would a car. Really I would think it's all about will the battery pack last long enough and will it
move the truck in the manner needed. Maintaining speed up a long hill is likely a lot more important than fast acceleration. Plus you have to charge a huge battery pack now, where's that going to be done? Most likely some overnight truck terminal.

Personally, once you get to sixty in under five seconds, more power isn't very useful most of the time, and I'm a guy
whose nickname in high school was dual quad... Always wanted 20 more hp and 20 less pounds (on me). sound familiar?....

By promoting the Insanity Mode, Tesla is just using great marketing. Provide an awesome experience no one else can give for the price.
Though I suppose if you bought a Dodge Demon for the same price you could get the same rubbery face effect.
Personally I want the interior to be as nice as it can be. And not so complicated I need a 800 page manual that is so big they can no longer print manuals.
And what's with these silly shift knobs coming out now on new cars? Pushbuttons on the dash all over the place now, like the early Chryslers.
Anything I suppose to get folks to make sure they are in Park.

Lots of folks wonder if Musk is going too many places too fast all at one time. But so far, his rockets take off and his cars have been well received.
Interior too minimal for me, but I sure like the idea.
All they need is a rotary dash exhaust sound selector knob for:
1. Mustang 5.0
2. GM small block
3. GM big block
4. Chrysler Hemi
5. Your pick

It's not 100 percent loss, but I'd be surprised if it's more than 50 percent efficient. How does that equate to a net gain?

 

[/pine]

Even diesel locomotives are essentially electrical vehicles...

 

[daugen]

It's not 100 percent loss, but I'd be surprised if it's more than 50 percent efficient. How does that equate to a net gain?

Apparently it would need a warp flux manipulator. It generates a black hole in front of your machine and you are just sucked forward.
You heard it here first :dance1:

clearly I have no idea what I'm talking about

 

[daugen]

Even diesel locomotives are essentially electrical vehicles...

yes, running on the skinniest of low friction tires too...

 

[houstonscott]

A coal fired truck...