Tesla has formally delivered its Tesla Semi electrical vehicles to a uncommon new buyer, who confirmed the truck’s effectivity.
Tesla Semi generally is a tough automobile 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.
Nonetheless, Tesla solely had small quantity manufacturing of the truck and began building on a much bigger manufacturing facility to provide the automobile 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 important customer-partner Pepsico.
Quantity manufacturing and wider launch to prospects is anticipated to begin subsequent 12 months.
That’s why it’s pleasantly shocking to now hear that Tesla has delivered two new Tesla Semi vehicles 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 vehicles.
The corporate introduced in a press launch right now:
Saia Inc. (NASDAQ: SAIA) introduced that Saia LTL Freight has partnered with Tesla to introduce two of the corporate’s first Tesla Semi vehicles 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 longer term, exploring the newest know-how to higher serve its prospects.
Tesla’s head of the Tesla Semi program, Dan Priestley, confirmed that Saia has been working the vehicles for greater than a month.
Saia Government Vice President of Operations Patrick Sugar confirmed that in a take a look at earlier this 12 months 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 purposes whereas nonetheless delivering notable energy and effectivity. Throughout an indication earlier this 12 months, we achieved 1.73 kWh per mile. Our drivers had been equally impressed, noting the sleek acceleration, comfy design, and its capability 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 12 months, DHL additionally confirmed this with an effectivity of 1.72 kWh per mile in their very own testing.
That was Tesla’s authentic objective 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 automobile program on the automaker that I’ve been probably the most enthusiastic about.
I feel Tesla’s experience in producing electrical automobiles profitably in excessive volumes ought to translate effectively to class 8 semi vehicles the place the effectivity may have a fair larger impression than within the passenger automotive market per automobile.
It took some time to get there, nevertheless it sounds just like the battery tech is now able to reaching the effectivity objectives. Now, Tesla simply must deliver this to quantity manufacturing profitably. Not a simple activity, however Tesla has carried out it earlier than.
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