According to data recently released by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency’s (NACFE) Run On Less program, the Tesla Semi has proven to be a reliable and efficient electric truck in real-world scenarios. This is the first independent real-world test of the Semi, and the results of the testing indicate encouraging range and charging performance.
During the testing period, one of PepsiCo’s three Tesla Semis participating in the program covered an impressive 1600 miles in under 48 hours. The truck underwent three full charges and two brief range-extending charging stops during this time. It completed nine deliveries, with a daily average distance of 794 miles on day two and 806 miles on day three, all within the state of California. The truck operated at highway speeds for approximately 90 percent of the distance.
NACFE’s director, Mike Roeth, confirmed that the Semis were fairly loaded when they left and stayed fairly loaded throughout the test. The trucks are used for delivering beverages, and it is rare for them to run empty. While the battery’s weight does result in a slight decrease in payload capacity compared to diesel trucks, Roeth stated that the difference is not significant.
Although the exact payload capacity of the Semis has not been officially disclosed, it is estimated that they lose between 2,200 to 4,400 pounds of capacity, including the additional 2,000-pound allowance for electric vehicles. The high charging speeds of the Tesla Megachargers, with a capacity of 750 kilowatts, have played a crucial role in enabling the Semi’s exceptional performance. The Megachargers allow the truck to reach a state of charge of 5-80 percent in just one hour.
NACFE’s principal of carbon-free transportation, Dave Mullaney, emphasized the impact of high-powered charging not only on the battery but also on the grid. He believes that electric utilities need to take notice of this trend as it offers a glimpse into the future of their business.
In addition to PepsiCo, there are numerous other participants in the Run On Less program, including UPS with the Freightliner eCascadia, Penske with the Brightdrop Zevo 600, and Ford E-Transit, among others.
Overall, the real-world testing of the Tesla Semi conducted by NACFE’s Run On Less program has provided positive results regarding the truck’s range, charging capabilities, and operational efficiency. These findings further enhance the credibility and potential of electric trucks in the commercial transportation sector.
Sources:
– North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE)
– Tesla Inc.