Elon Musk details advantages of Tesla Semi over diesel trucks

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On the heels of the Tesla Semi making major waves at the IAA Transport Conference in Germany this week, CEO Elon Musk detailed some ways the all-electric truck is more advantageous over traditional diesel vehicles that have been used for logistics.

Tesla has flexed the low cost of ownership, improved safety, better range, and performance, which are just a few ways the Semi is arguably the best commercial vehicle available.

Although it is still going through its pilot program stages, we have learned more about the Semi than ever before with presentations from the Engineering Head for the Semi program, Dan Priestley.

So far, we have learned:

  • The Semi will ramp to 50,000 units of annual production at the new production facility near Gigafactory Nevada
  • Tesla plans to develop new configurations of the Semi so they can be used for different applications and be available at different prices
  • Efficiency is working at 100 kWh per 100 kilometers traveled

PepsiCo., which has been the Semi’s main contributor during the pilot program, also talked about the various things they have recognized since using around 90 units over the past year and a half.

Tesla Semi fleet real-world observations shared by PepsiCo

Many PepsiCo. drivers who have been able to use the Tesla Semi do not believe it is worth going back to a traditional diesel vehicle.

Musk commented on the advantages of the Semi over its diesel counterparts:

The Semi has the potential to be the most disruptive and potentially groundbreaking product, other than the Robotaxi, in Tesla’s entire lineup.

The company has already managed to completely disrupt the passenger vehicle sector, but transforming the commercial industry would be groundbreaking considering the safety, efficiency, and emissions improvements that come from the use of a vehicle without tailpipes over the lifespan of the truck.

Typically, a semi truck lasts around 750,000 miles. Traveling around 45,000 miles per year on average, most lifespans last around 15 years, according to Rechtien International.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

Elon Musk details advantages of Tesla Semi over diesel trucks





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Tesla Cybertruck lead engineer warns against use of Supercharger extension cords

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Tesla Cybertruck lead engineer Wes Morrill has shared a warning about the use of extension cords for Supercharger stalls. As per the Tesla lead engineer, using North American Charging Standard (NACS) extension cords could present safety issues. 

Morrill’s comment came as a response to an electric vehicle enthusiast who discussing an aftermarket NACS DC extension cord. By using a NACS extension cord, non-Tesla vehicles like Rivian’s R1T and R1S could avoid using up two charging spaces when they use the Supercharger Network. 

As per the Cybertruck lead engineer, however, using an extension cord on a Supercharger or any other DC charging station is not preferable at all. Morrill noted that he has seen several instances of cable overheating with the use of such items. 

“Would recommend AGAINST using an extension cord on a supercharger (or any DC charging station with a liquid cooled cable). Have seen multiple instances of the cable overheated and shorting DC +/-.

“There’s a temperature measurement in the handle and the supercharger derates based on that temperature. With the extension cable that safety goes away. On top of adding an additional junction which generates heat making matters worse,” Morrill wrote in his post on X. 

While the use of extension cords for Tesla Superchargers may seem convenient, drivers should keep in mind that each aspect of a Supercharger is built by design. This includes the cable length of existing Superchargers, which is likely optimized for reliability and safety. Effectively modifying the length of a Supercharger cable through an extension cord may then present some safety risks. 

Tesla is known for prioritizing safety in both its vehicles and its charging infrastructure. This is one of the reasons why the company has issued warnings against some popular charging practices in the past, such as the use of a wet towel on a NACS handle to push more power into a vehicle. As per Tesla back in July, using a wet cloth on a Supercharger cable creates a risk of overheating. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Tesla Cybertruck lead engineer warns against use of Supercharger extension cords





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Tesla Giga Texas stands proud with its trifecta of giga flags

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Tesla never really does anything in half measures, and since Elon Musk moved the company’s headquarters to Giga Texas, pretty much every single new project of the electric vehicle maker has been massive. This true even for the Giga Texas complex itself, as it is a gigantic building with a gigantic supercomputer cluster, and more recently, some really large flags as well. 

Recent drone flyovers of the Giga Texas complex have revealed that Tesla was building three massive flagpoles near the main building’s entrance. The flagpoles themselves are quite large, with estimates from the Tesla community suggesting that they are about 165 feet tall. 

In the spirit of “Tesla speed” construction, the three flagpoles were installed in days, and massive flags were promptly hoisted up. As could be seen in photos of the new installation, Giga Texas is now flying the American flag, the Texas flag, and the Tesla flag in the flagpoles. Estimates from industry watchers have estimated that each of the flags being flown at Giga Texas is 30 ft x 60 ft., or 1,800 square feet. 

Those are among the largest flags in the market, and they fit Giga Texas’ gargantuan size very well. The facility, after all, is one of the largest buildings in the United States, being the second-largest factory in the country and the second-largest building in the world by volume. Elon Musk joked during the Cyber Rodeo that Giga Texas would fit 194 billion hamsters—which is a pretty ridiculous number of the critters if one were to think about it. 

What is quite interesting is that the Tesla Giga Texas complex is still being developed further. Elon Musk has also noted in the past that Tesla would be creating an “ecological paradise” that could be open to the public in the Giga Texas complex. An ecological paradise would make the Giga Texas complex not just a workplace for the company’s employees but a destination for tourists and residents as well. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Tesla Giga Texas stands proud with its trifecta of giga flags





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