Volvo and Peterbilt have already rolled out fully electric semi-trucks. Daimler and Tesla have plans to release theirs sometime in 2020.
Tesla has generated significant buzz and pre-orders from large trucking companies. Could this be the beginning of the end for fossil-fueled semi-trucks?
Some experts aren’t so sure.
The future of electric trucks: Tesla semis
For starters, Tesla has made bold claims of fully electric semi-trucks with a 500-750 mile range.
Tesla's statements about their semi-trucks have been controversial, to say the least. Competitors like Daimler say it's impossible. Martin Daum of Daimler said:
Microsoft founder and billionaire Bill Gates also weighed in on the issue saying, “Eventually batteries might work for a truck, but it’s a far more difficult problem because the weight is a lot higher there.”
Daimler, Peterbilt, and Volvo meanwhile are all promoting day cab models with expected ranges well under 500 miles.
Daimler quotes about 250 miles, Peterbilt about 133 miles, Volvo about 186 miles.
For instance, newcomer Nikola is planning both fully electric and hydrogen fuel cell semi-trucks for the near future.
The release date projected for Nikola semis is around 2022.
Xos Trucks (formerly Thor Trucks) also had plans to push out electric trucks with a 100-mile range this year, but so far there is no word on when that will actually happen.
"If Tesla really delivers on this promise, we'll obviously buy two trucks: one to take apart and one to test, because if that happens, something has passed us by. But for now, the same laws of physics apply in Germany and in California."
Microsoft founder and billionaire Bill Gates also weighed in on the issue saying, “Eventually batteries might work for a truck, but it’s a far more difficult problem because the weight is a lot higher there.”
Daimler, Peterbilt, and Volvo meanwhile are all promoting day cab models with expected ranges well under 500 miles.
Daimler quotes about 250 miles, Peterbilt about 133 miles, Volvo about 186 miles.
Startups: Nikola semis & Xos Trucks
There are a number of other companies with plans extending farther into the future.For instance, newcomer Nikola is planning both fully electric and hydrogen fuel cell semi-trucks for the near future.
The release date projected for Nikola semis is around 2022.
Xos Trucks (formerly Thor Trucks) also had plans to push out electric trucks with a 100-mile range this year, but so far there is no word on when that will actually happen.
Will Tesla semis overtake diesel?
What do you think? Will diesel ever be phased out? Will trucking become entirely autonomous?
One thing is for sure. Until that happens, you’ll still need a trucking dispatch system. Have you heard about our sister product TruckLogics?
They offer dispatching, invoicing, IFTA compliance and so much more. You can get a 15-day free trial with no obligation!
One thing is for sure. Until that happens, you’ll still need a trucking dispatch system. Have you heard about our sister product TruckLogics?
They offer dispatching, invoicing, IFTA compliance and so much more. You can get a 15-day free trial with no obligation!
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