Does The Tesla Semi Make Any Sense?

Summary by Krater

The video analyzes six engineering and economic aspects of the Tesla Semi electric truck, including battery size, range, weight, power, charging rate, energy cost, and emissions, concluding that the math largely checks out for Tesla's claims.

From the video

Answers: Does the engineering and economics of the Tesla Semi truck check out?

• Tesla Semi battery size and weight
• Tesla Semi range and drag coefficient
• Tesla Semi weight and power calculations
• Tesla Semi charging rate
• Tesla Semi energy cost per mile
• Tesla Semi lifetime CO2 emissions

What it concludes

• The Tesla Semi battery weight is estimated between 10,000 and 12,000 lbs.
• The 500-mile range claim is theoretically possible with a 1,000 kWh battery under ideal conditions.
• In a harder scenario with headwinds and elevation changes, the Tesla Semi range drops to about 250 miles on 2,000 kWh.
• The Tesla Semi weighs approximately 20,000 lbs without a trailer.
• The Tesla Semi requires about 870 horsepower to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 20 seconds at 80,000 lbs.
• Charging the Tesla Semi from 0 to 70% in 30 minutes requires a charging rate of 1,400 kW.