The Tesla Semi Is Here With A 500 Mile Range And A 5sec 0-60mph Time

Tesla has revealed its very first lorry, promising a 500 mile range and fast charging times
The Tesla Semi Is Here With A 500 Mile Range And A 5sec 0-60mph Time

While your Twitter/Instagram/Facebook feeds will no doubt already be cluttered with stuff about the Tesla Roadster, we must not forget the vehicle the Hawthorne reveal event was actually supposed to be about. Yep, we’re talking about the Tesla Semi (that’s a lorry, to us Brits), a car which has far bigger potential real-world implications than a sports car with some rather bold performance claims.

As a kick off, the Semi has, err, some rather lofty performance claims. Sans trailer, or ‘bobtail’, as it’s known, the vehicle will do 0-60mph in five seconds. In other words, it stands a good chance of beating an E46 BMW M3 away from the traffic lights. Which is absurd.

The Tesla Semi Is Here With A 500 Mile Range And A 5sec 0-60mph Time

Even with a trailer hooked up and fully loaded with 36 tonnes of cargo, it’ll do the same sprint in 20 seconds (something which Tesla claims takes a conventional diesel truck “about a minute”). How? We’re not sure at this point, Tesla hasn’t released any information about the vehicle’s battery pack.

The firm has said that the range is 500 miles though, and it will apparently be possible to recharge to a 400 mile range in just 30 minutes. The caveat? That’d require the use of a ‘Megacharger’ - a new design of DC charging station which would need to be installed at the destination or along busy routes.

The Tesla Semi Is Here With A 500 Mile Range And A 5sec 0-60mph Time

The Semi’s drag coefficient of 0.36Cd is not just far better than a conventional lorry, it’s - as Tesla is mighty keen to point out - better than a Bugatti Chiron. That’s the reason for the unusual shape on the outside, and on the inside it’s just as alien. The driver is flanked by two massive touch screens (well, it is a Tesla), has a centrally-mounted driving position, and can enjoy full standing room in the cabin.

Safety features include surround cameras, a system that uses positive or negative torque to each wheel to prevent jackknifing, and ‘Enhanced Autopilot’. The latter function features autonomous braking, automatic lane keeping and lane departure warning. Stick a bunch of additional Semis behind, and they’ll autonomously play follow-the-leader, creating a convoy.

The Tesla Semi Is Here With A 500 Mile Range And A 5sec 0-60mph Time

There’s no mention of cost yet, but Tesla touts “$200,000 or more in savings over a million miles based on fuel costs alone.” Prospective buyers can put down a $5000 deposit now with production planned for 2019, but given how Model 3 production is going right now, it’s probably best to take that targeted debut with a pinch of salt for now.

Comments

H5SKB4RU (Returned to CT)

The awkard moment you realize the fancy front of your Tesla Truck looks like a vacuum cleaner.

11/17/2017 - 11:35 |
171 | 1

Vacu-ermm, meant Electric sounds

11/17/2017 - 12:02 |
23 | 0

😂😂

11/17/2017 - 13:20 |
4 | 0

What has been seen cannot be un-seen…

11/17/2017 - 13:35 |
12 | 0

“Yay, real-life Gran Turismo!”

11/17/2017 - 13:52 |
21 | 1

Would this work too x)) ??

11/17/2017 - 16:49 |
6 | 0
Anonymous

Dang, this Semi is faster than a GT86

11/17/2017 - 11:36 |
21 | 0
The Prius Tumor

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Everything is faster than a GT86

11/17/2017 - 11:37 |
91 | 0
Peanut_guy

I’m wondering if the guy of DragTimes will buy one. Prepare yourself to the next video: “This Semi destroy an E46 M3 !”

11/17/2017 - 11:44 |
15 | 0
Anonymous

5 sec oh really.

11/17/2017 - 11:45 |
5 | 0
CS55

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Yeah, Tesla are dreaming… I kinda belive them about the roadster being so fast (0-60 in 1.9sec and 250mph) but it will need over 2000hp to do that. On the other hand an 8 tonne truck with 2000hp won’t even do 0-60 in less than 6sec

11/17/2017 - 13:01 |
4 | 1
Anonymous

Only one seat, where will the prostitute sit?

11/17/2017 - 11:51 |
75 | 0
H5SKB4RU (Returned to CT)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

😂👌

11/17/2017 - 11:54 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Where will they even do it. No bed to be seen.

11/17/2017 - 11:59 |
17 | 0
Harry Fletcher

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Jeremy Clarkson approves of this comment 😅

11/17/2017 - 12:38 |
6 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

In the trailer

11/17/2017 - 13:07 |
2 | 0
⫷Mr N.F.S⫸

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

More like where would the truckie dog sit?

11/17/2017 - 13:20 |
4 | 0
LukeyWolf

Just when you think semis can’t get any uglier, Tesla proves me wrong

11/17/2017 - 12:04 |
15 | 1
dmackster1124

This is gonna be interesting, a quiet semi truck

11/17/2017 - 12:06 |
7 | 0
Will Tasillo

Everything’s gonna fly out the back of the trailer from 0 to 60

11/17/2017 - 12:20 |
17 | 0
Mark Stanton

That centre driving position will be fun the first time the driver arrives at a “Press buzzer for access” gate

11/17/2017 - 12:27 |
10 | 0

but will mean that a European driver that connects Paris to London will have no problem in either shore, also no need to manufacture RHD and LHD versions…

11/17/2017 - 16:13 |
2 | 0
Wreckless

Im pretty sure my car is slower than this semi

11/17/2017 - 13:05 |
3 | 0

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