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 tough automobile program to comply with.
The truck was first unveiled in 2017 and it was supposed to enter manufacturing in 2020. It was delayed a number of occasions and Tesla ended up unveiling the manufacturing model of its Tesla Semi class 8 electrical truck and delivered the primary models in December 2022.
Nevertheless, Tesla solely had small quantity manufacturing of the truck and began building on a much bigger manufacturing unit to provide the automobile in greater quantity subsequent to Gigafactory Nevada.
Subsequently, for the final two years, Tesla has solely been producing the truck for its personal operations and its essential customer-partner Pepsico.
Quantity manufacturing and wider launch to clients is anticipated to begin subsequent 12 months.
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 at present:
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 one hundredth anniversary, this collaboration signifies not only a milestone within the service’s historical past but additionally a daring dedication to the longer term, exploring the most recent expertise to raised serve its clients.
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 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 functions 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 graceful acceleration, snug design, and its means to keep up 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 unique objective for the truck, however the automaker additionally not too long ago mentioned that it now can do some 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 believe Tesla’s experience in producing electrical automobiles profitably in excessive volumes ought to translate effectively to class 8 semi vans the place the effectivity may have a good higher influence than within the passenger automotive market per automobile.
It took some time to get there, however it sounds just like the battery tech is now able to reaching the effectivity targets. Now, Tesla simply must carry this to quantity manufacturing profitably. Not a simple process, however Tesla has accomplished it earlier than.
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