– is going into production, with the first examples set to be used by Pepsi from this winter, and with a production goal of 50,000 units a year by 2024. It’s worth highlighting, though, that other truck makers are also looking to get in on the act. As so often, Tesla is leading the headlines but far from the only one attempting to seize opportunity from the diversion.
But are big trucks the best use of the limited battery materials that we have access to today? It’s a tough question to answer until the final statistics are official, but reports put the smallest Semi battery pack at 600kWh – as much used in a dozensaloons. What’s more, as a result of the Semi’s weight and the weight that it needs to haul, its battery pack alone is reported to weigh 3500kg, with efficiency consequently rated at around two miles per kWh – half that of a typical electric car).
Jim_Holder Article states that the battery capacity is between 600-1000 kWh. And the trucks will do 2 miles per kWh. That efficiency does seem to be overly ambitious. if true, surely the trucks would not need a 1200-2000 miles range. Drivers are limited to c. 9 hour shifts.
Jim_Holder Shame this is behind a paywall. I'm sure it's a really good analysis of battery versus hydrogen versus 100% biofuels for larger scale vehicles.
Jim_Holder Yes!