Almost five years later, Tesla Semi is set to release this year, suggesting fleet management software is ready

In December 2017, Tesla announced the Tesla Semi. At the time, many thought an electric semi-truck was not viable. Weight and distance were a big challenge for the batteries that power it.

With four months to go until the event’s fifth anniversary, it has finally been confirmed to hit the roads of the United States in 2022.

In a tweet today, Elon Musk confirmed that the 500-mile (804 km) range semi truck will start shipping this year. This is good news for customers who order the Semi and want to take advantage of the benefits that electric trucks can offer.

Moving to EVs in the world of commercial trucking is expected to offer many of the same benefits as Tesla’s passenger cars.

First, the ongoing costs associated with charging and maintenance are greatly reduced. It also has the benefits of faster acceleration, a simpler driving experience, a better seating position, better safety and dramatically better technology.

Taking off from a light or climbing a hill, everything changes with the torque you get from the electric motor. This change to electric semi trucks will be better for all road users. This is because slower trucks often make additional lane changes to avoid being stuck by slower moving trucks.

The Tesla Semi is expected to offer the same Autopilot technology, offering lane center control and adaptive cruise control to make long-distance driving a breeze. Tesla is working on an autonomous driving solution known as the Full Self-Driving Package and would like to know which features of the package are available in the semi. Check for possible space and expect auto lane changes to merge only when safe.

fleet management software

What many don’t consider about Tesla’s first move into the commercial vehicle space is the software services needed to complement these trucks.

If you’re in the transportation and distribution game, your expectations of vehicles are very different than consumers. Fleet managers expect employers to track vehicles and record data on movements and driver shifts to ensure they are complying with safety laws.

For Tesla to launch the Semi later this year, it will have to sort out the software side of its business. Tesla’s navigation software and route planning must accommodate and avoid road restrictions, tree overhangs, low bridges, and more.

Given the amount of onboard data Tesla can access in its connected cars, offering more of it through fleet management software seems like an easy win. including time.

Consumers expect a lot for free, but the business world expects to pay, and fleet management services will cost a monthly fee to access, becoming a whole new profit center for Tesla. There is a possibility.

charging

The Tesla Semi uses a unique battery design, the 4680 form factor, to offer an industry-leading range. There are other electric trucks on the market right now, but nothing comes close to what Tesla is trying to offer. Musk confirmed today that the Semi will be on tour this year, raising questions about the Semi’s charging infrastructure.

Tesla reported over 36,000 connectors for 3,971 Supercharger stations in its Q2 2022 update, none of which were designed to work with the Semi.

Until now, most batteries in Tesla vehicles have been 100 kWh, but it is expected that we may see battery packs with capacities between 750 kWh and 1 MWh. It takes a very long time to recharge at Supercharger rates. In other words, Tesla needs a Megacharger.

Back in January of this year, we saw the report Tesla installed a megacharger at Pepsi’s Frito-Lay facility in Modesto, California. Given this, the strategy for commercial charging infrastructure seems to be to place the charging infrastructure in locations where the charging time of the cicadas is covered by the loading and unloading process.

Details on the speeds available from the Megacharger are yet to be confirmed, as is the total charging time required.

That said, with the country’s heavy reliance on road freight and emissions from diesel semi trucks making up a significant portion of its CO2 emissions, we would love to see the semi reach Australia.

Even with no environmental benefit, there are still many accidents each year in which trucks leave the road due to fatigue and distraction. With Autopilot, these drivers have a much safer driving experience.

See the original announcement below.