Tesla has formally delivered its Tesla Semi electrical vans to a uncommon new buyer, who confirmed the truck’s effectivity.
Tesla Semi could be a troublesome car program to observe.
The truck was first unveiled in 2017 and it was supposed to enter manufacturing in 2020. It was delayed a number of instances and Tesla ended up unveiling the manufacturing model of its Tesla Semi class 8 electrical truck and delivered the primary items in December 2022.
Nevertheless, Tesla solely had small quantity manufacturing of the truck and began building on a much bigger manufacturing facility to supply the car in larger quantity subsequent to Gigafactory Nevada.
Due to this fact, for the final two years, Tesla has solely been producing the truck for its personal operations and its predominant customer-partner Pepsico.
Quantity manufacturing and wider launch to prospects is predicted to begin subsequent yr.
That’s why it’s pleasantly stunning to now hear that Tesla has delivered two new Tesla Semi vans to a brand new buyer: Saia.
Saia is a big LTL (lower than truckload) trucking firm working within the US with a fleet of round 5,000 vans.
The corporate introduced in a press launch as we speak:
Saia Inc. (NASDAQ: SAIA) introduced that Saia LTL Freight has partnered with Tesla to introduce two of the corporate’s first Tesla Semi vans to its fleet. As Saia celebrates its a hundredth anniversary, this collaboration signifies not only a milestone within the provider’s historical past but in addition a daring dedication to the long run, exploring the newest expertise to raised serve its prospects.
Tesla’s head of the Tesla Semi program, Dan Priestley, confirmed that Saia has been working the vans for greater than a month.
Saia Government Vice President of Operations Patrick Sugar confirmed that in a check earlier this yr they achieved an effectivity of 1.72 kWh per mile with the Tesla Semi:
“We had been very impressed with the Tesla Semi because it demonstrated a capability to deal with each native and longer haul functions whereas nonetheless delivering notable energy and effectivity. Throughout an indication earlier this yr, we achieved 1.73 kWh per mile. Our drivers had been equally impressed, noting the sleek acceleration, snug design, and its capacity to take care of speeds on steep inclines, even whereas hauling heavy payloads. This suggestions underscores the large potential of the Tesla Semi.”
Earlier this yr, DHL additionally confirmed this with an effectivity of 1.72 kWh per mile in their very own testing.
That was Tesla’s authentic aim for the truck, however the automaker additionally lately stated that it now can perform a little higher with 1.6 kWh per mile.
Electrek’s Take
Since Elon killed the $25,000 Tesla, Tesla Semi has been the car program on the automaker that I’ve been essentially the most enthusiastic about.
I believe Tesla’s experience in producing electrical automobiles profitably in excessive volumes ought to translate nicely to class 8 semi vans the place the effectivity can have an excellent better affect than within the passenger automobile market per car.
It took some time to get there, however it sounds just like the battery tech is now able to attaining the effectivity objectives. Now, Tesla simply must carry this to quantity manufacturing profitably. Not a simple job, however Tesla has carried out it earlier than.
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