Automakers differ broadly in how forthcoming they’re with technical specs. When one German automaker launched its first main EV mannequin, it hosted a press occasion at which cutaway variations of battery packs and electrical motors have been on show, and the engineers who designed them have been readily available to reply questions. In distinction, one other Teutonic model (Bavarian, truly) sends us interminable press releases about its new fashions with paragraph after paragraph about exterior and inside “design cues” and the way they’re speculated to make drivers really feel—however virtually no technical data in any respect.
Tesla is a unique animal. It has no PR employees, and rarely communicates with the fourth property in any respect. Information about upcoming autos is restricted to an occasional weblog put up, a couple of tidbits at reveal occasions, and impulsive blurts on Twitter. Investigative journalists and geeky followers do their finest to fill within the blanks, scouring the web for clues about battery capability, chemistry and different Kabbalistic pearls of knowledge.
With regards to the Tesla Semi, it’s not simply fanboys and pencil-pockets who’re slavering for specs. Electrical vehicles have the potential to revolutionize the trucking trade, and fleet operators and shippers are desirous to understand how the Semi’s payload, price per mile and such examine to different Class 8 EVs from Daimler, Volvo, BYD et al, and to legacy diesel autos.
Battery Design maintains a web page that lists just about all of what’s identified up to now in regards to the mysterious rig. Among the figures are from Tesla, some are estimates from a wide range of sources, and all are topic to updates as new clay tablets are revealed.
We all know that the Semi has three unbiased motors: one on the second axle that’s continually engaged, and two on the rear axle which might be engaged when extra acceleration is required. We all know that it’s going to be provided in two variations, one with 300 miles of vary and one with 500 miles. We’re fairly positive that the system operates at 1,000 V.
Tesla has not launched the battery capability, however BD estimates that it’s round 850 kWh (Electrek places it at round 900 kWh). We additionally don’t know the precise weight, however BD figures it at round 12 tonnes, which might be some 2,500 kg heavier than a typical ICE tractor.
What about effectivity? Battery Design gives an internet calculator that lets you estimate any automobile’s energy utilization by plugging in figures for drag coefficient, mass, pace, gradient and auxiliary hundreds.
— inexperienced (@greentheonly) December 31, 2022
Some extra information in regards to the Semi’s battery pack not too long ago leaked. An intrepid investigator referred to as Inexperienced the Solely (through Electrek) got here throughout some pix (apparently from a elements catalog) that present the fundamental design of the pack and the way it matches into the tractor. As you’d think about, the pack is positioned beneath the cabin. The shock is that it doesn’t appear like any of Tesla’s earlier packs. There are 9 modules in two completely different sizes, and so they’re taller than the modules we’re used to seeing—however that is sensible when you think about how a lot power Tesla needed to match into a really small horizontal footprint.
As for what the Semi is like from the motive force’s standpoint, Tesla truly provided up some particulars and a brief video on the December supply occasion. Tesla Oracle (through EVannex) has the story.
Sources: Electrek, Battery Design, Tesla Oracle, EVannex