At the IAA Transportation show in Hannover, Europe’s largest transport trade fair, some updates on Elon Musk’s electric truck were revealed by Dan Priestley, Senior Manager of Tesla Semi Engineering, during a lecture.
Currently, Tesla has deployed around 100 trucks in the US, most of which are used by PepsiCo. In total, these trucks have driven 7.5 million kilometres. Priestley highlighted one vehicle in particular, which has covered over 400,000 kilometres at maximum load in just 18 months, showcasing the model’s reliability.
According to the Tesla manager, the fleet’s uptime is 95 per cent, meaning the Semi is operational and free from significant breakdowns or maintenance issues. However, it’s worth noting that in August, one of Tesla’s e-trucks caught fire after veering off the road.
The main challenge associated with electric fleet deployment is charging and range, but Tesla appears to have a solution. Priestley announced the development of Tesla’s charging station—the Megawatt—for heavy-duty vehicles, which is expected to deliver charging times comparable to diesel refuelling. He added that the Tesla truck’s energy consumption averages 100 kWh per 100 km, making it more efficient than diesel trucks in 2024 and slightly better than other electric trucks currently on the market.
Semi in Europe
While Tesla customers in the US already have access to electric trucks, European companies that ordered the Semi almost seven years ago will still need to be patient.
Tesla must first bring the vehicle into compliance with European Union regulations before it can enter the European market. According to Dan Priestley, Tesla plans to hire a business development manager for the European market and introduce a comprehensive business model similar to the one used by PepsiCo in the US. This model would include the vehicle, charging infrastructure, maintenance, and ongoing corporate support.
Priestley also noted that the Semi was designed from the outset to be a versatile vehicle for global markets. A prototype that meets EU size requirements and is compatible with European trailer couplers already exists. This is a shorter variant without the long mudguards, offering a range of 300 miles (480 km) – which is less than that of its European competitors, such as the eActros 600. The traditional Semi variant, with a 500-mile (800 km) range, is too long for EU roads and requires additional battery space.
When comparing energy consumption, if Tesla’s claims are accurate, the Semi is slightly more economical than its German competitor: the Tesla Semi consumes 1 kWh per kilometre, compared to 1.03 kWh for the eActros.
It seems Elon Musk and his engineers still have considerable work to do to make the Semi an attractive truck for the European market. Companies like Girteka and Fercam, who placed orders for the Tesla Semi seven years ago, will have to continue waiting.
What’s new?
While Tesla didn’t reveal any groundbreaking developments at Hannover, Priestley mentioned some improvements to the vehicles and software that have enhanced charging performance and extended the vehicle’s range.
Additionally, Tesla has developed a new chassis to accommodate a sleeper cab and independent front suspension for a future European version, which also improves regenerative braking.