The car-loving movie star did not maintain again from asking large questions on Tesla’s considerably secretive Semi truck
October 3, 2023 at 13:06
Two of Tesla’s senior workers members, Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen and Senior Supervisor of Semi-Truck Engineering Dan Priestley, simply gave Jay Leno a first-class tour and take a look at drive of the model’s electrical Semi truck. Not solely did Leno press the 2 for extra particulars concerning the large electrical rig, however he had the prospect to expertise it himself from behind the wheel. He even pulled one other Tesla Semi throughout a portion of the drive.
Leno particularly inquired with Priestley concerning the horsepower and pricing on the Semi, each figures Tesla hasn’t revealed. The engineer talked about that the whole system output can attain as much as about 1,500 hp (1,118 kW), emphasizing that Tesla customizes it primarily based on buyer necessities. Decreasing the horsepower permits for elevated longevity of the drivetrain and tires.
By way of pricing, Priestley says that it’s similar to different heavy-duty electrical vans. Unsurprisingly, he went on to say that the true worth is in utilizing the truck to save lots of on working prices. For purchasers who particularly have regional routes the place the truck returns to its dwelling base daily.
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Extra: Unbiased Tesla Semi Testing Reveals Actual-World Vary Figures
In these circumstances, Priestley says that the Tesla Semi is engaged on par with diesel-powered vans. Nonetheless, there’s a lot testing left to be performed. In keeping with him, Tesla has constructed “a number of dozen” manufacturing items which isn’t many when in comparison with the huge manufacturing numbers for the remainder of the Tesla fleet.
Leno’s expertise behind the wheel is a optimistic one. He feedback quite a few instances about simply how easily and rapidly the Semi accelerates. Making the large rig navigate site visitors extra like a automotive was a significant focus of the crew in accordance with Priestley and von Holzhausen. Even after hooking as much as the trailer with one other Semi in tow, he’s impressed at how effortlessly he’s in a position to draw back.
It’s not all about energy although. Leno takes the chance to finish a full U-turn in an intersection with the trailer in tow. In keeping with the fellows from Tesla, the Semi has a turning radius just like that of the Mannequin Y or Mannequin 3. That helps to make it all of the extra able to navigating site visitors simply.
The complete video is filled with attention-grabbing insights about why Tesla constructed the Semi the best way it did.
