Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's way beyond that. 1. it makes changing a tire more complicated, and time is money, the longer it takes to change a blown tire the higher the penalties 2. when a semi tire goes, it goes hard , as GP noted with this arrangement the cowling will probably shatter, requiring a replacement (not just a replacement tire) and the pieces taking out other tire. If the cowling does not break, it will funnel bits of tire stra…
If a truck tire blows, it sometimes hits nearby cars and causes accidents, or just hits a motorcycle driver, cyclist or pedestrian and causes an instant death. These covers could be useful, if they were made for containment. Requires something like kevlar that can stretch and absorb the impact.
Tesla Semi
331–340 of 575 posts
Re: Tesla Semi
#332Earlier quoted context omitted.
Are those normally run off of the prime mover's engine? I'd never even thought about that.
Every refrigerated container I've seen has its own cooling unit and does not use the trucks power.
I've always wondered about this. Do they have their own fuel tank and engine to run the compressor for refrigeration?
Re: Tesla Semi
#333Earlier quoted context omitted.
He states that they have spent a lot of time talking to truckers and truck companies. I would guess they believe that with an electric drive train repairs and maintenance will be an order of magnitude lower (not sure how that works for tires and wheels). Body damage should also be much lower with automatic breaking and other features of enhanced autopilot. As Musk said, broken glass is a big cost for trucking as you…
What does "nuclear blast" mean? 5m to the explosion? 10km to the explosion? What warhead? 10kt, 10Mt?
I assumed it meant "nonspecifically, but impressively, tough."
Re: Tesla Semi
#334I'm a product manager at a telematics company. I've talked to a lot of folks in the long haul trucking space, from drivers to back office folks to service managers. I'll be surprised if this truck catches on. The trucking industry has a huge urge to do everything themselves, all the big guys have full service garages in their many yards across the country. This truck seems essentially unserviceable by anyone other th…
This sort of response REEKS of near sightedness. "The big guys won't go for it. Therefore, it won't succeed". That's a recipe for somebody who isn't a "big guy" to start their business literally this instant, and outcompete the "big guys" in five years because they were able to throw off the shackles of tradition and learn from the past as well as embracing current technology.
The harsh truth is that most times it _does_ work out for the "big guys".
5 years is a lot of time for the "big guy"-compliant suppliers like Daimler to catch up (I can't personally evaluate if there is even a lot of catching up to do, as Tesla tries to present). Especially in low-margin industries like transportation that are also highly dependent on overall market strength, the odds are stacked very much in favor of big players that are able to position themselves for slow and stable growth. Close-to-worst scenario for the big guys is that a new player gains a significant market share and they have to purchase them for a big premium.
It also seems that you underestimate the willingness to embrace new technologies in the trucking industry, which they have ingrained to survive in a low-margin industry. They won't like it not because it is any kind of innovation, but because they would be giving away significant control. The big guys are so resilient and successful because they try to have a hold of the supply-chain as much as possible, to be more independent of outside forces, which is exactly the same game Tesla (and Apple, etc.) are playing with their manufacturing partners.
Re: Tesla Semi
#335Earlier quoted context omitted.
You should probably watch the actual reveal, it's already on YouTube. The glass was already addressed and he gave it a specific focus. Even claiming it can withstand an atomic blast.
The iPhoneX has the strongest glass. … but actually breaks easier than the iPhone 8 glass.
lets not compare iphonex to Elon Musk's glass. I know nothing about glass, but, I trust the guy with a company called spaceX on his portfolio to make my glass right.
Re: Tesla Semi
#336Earlier quoted context omitted.
He states that they have spent a lot of time talking to truckers and truck companies. I would guess they believe that with an electric drive train repairs and maintenance will be an order of magnitude lower (not sure how that works for tires and wheels). Body damage should also be much lower with automatic breaking and other features of enhanced autopilot. As Musk said, broken glass is a big cost for trucking as you…
What does "nuclear blast" mean? 5m to the explosion? 10km to the explosion? What warhead? 10kt, 10Mt?
It means exactly nothing, and I think that's the point.
Re: Tesla Semi
#337I'm a product manager at a telematics company. I've talked to a lot of folks in the long haul trucking space, from drivers to back office folks to service managers. I'll be surprised if this truck catches on. The trucking industry has a huge urge to do everything themselves, all the big guys have full service garages in their many yards across the country. This truck seems essentially unserviceable by anyone other th…
If those TCO numbers pan out they won’t have much choice. They’ll be undercut by the competition.
I suspect the numbers will improve as well.
Re: Tesla Semi
#338I'm a product manager at a telematics company. I've talked to a lot of folks in the long haul trucking space, from drivers to back office folks to service managers. I'll be surprised if this truck catches on. The trucking industry has a huge urge to do everything themselves, all the big guys have full service garages in their many yards across the country. This truck seems essentially unserviceable by anyone other th…
I wouldn't be surprised if there is a lobbying battle that ensues after these types of vehicles become available. With transport and shipping being such large targets in regards to emissions, banning or phasing out fossil fuels will make electric semis inevitable. I guess the question then would be how quickly the current manufacturers can supply an offering. Manufacturers with existing business relationships and gre…
> I wouldn't be surprised if there is a lobbying battle that ensues after these types of vehicles become available. With transport and shipping being such large targets in regards to emissions, banning or phasing out fossil fuels will make electric semis inevitable.
In Europe maybe, but the USA are still their main market, and the way things are going right now, regulations probably won't develop in their favor in the important timeframe.
Re: Tesla Semi
#339How does the mileage and recharge time compare to a traditional semi-truck? And are there enough charging stations along trucking routes?
In the presentation they suggest they are targetting customers who can get from A-B in one charge, and then charge while they are unloading/reloading the truck. Those customers actually save time on fueling.
Otherwise he states 400 miles charge in 30 minutes. So with assumed breaks every 5-6 hours for food and bathroom, and with apparently legal requirements for drivers to take breaks - it seems like it won't be an issue (so long as there are charging stations at enough locations).
Re: Tesla Semi
#340Earlier quoted context omitted.
The iPhoneX has the strongest glass. … but actually breaks easier than the iPhone 8 glass.
the iPhone 8 and iPhone X use the same glass
Maybe it's not the glass but the frame and components. Maybe the notch can pressure the glass when stress occurs ..