Tesla Semi truck live images leaked, equipped with 500 kWh battery

Model S and Model X are equipped with 100 kWh batteries, but Semi will probably be equipped with 500 kWh battery packs and use Tesla’s latest 4680 battery. Previously, the industry’s guess on Tesla Semi’s battery pack was between 600 kWh and 1 MWh.

In addition, Semi’s latest live images have also been leaked, and the appearance has many obvious upgrade designs.

In 2017, Tesla released two versions of the Semi-electric truck, with a cruising range of 300 miles and 500 miles. With the development of battery technology, the Semi has a complete load of 40 tons. The endurance will exceed 1,000 kilometers.

Along with this, under full load, Semi consumes less than 2 kWh per mile. It is understood that the two versions of Semi are priced at 150,000 U.S. dollars (approximately 1.06 million yuan) and 180,000 U.S. dollars.

The electricity cost is half that of diesel that can save more than 200,000 U.S. dollars in fuel costs. For electric trucks that play the role of production tools, cruising range and energy consumption are key indicators to measure the performance of electric trucks that largely affect operating costs and profitability.

However, Semi’s cruising range has also aroused many doubts, including commercial vehicle giant Daimler Card. Daimlerka is a German truck manufacturer. In 2018, when the Semi endurance reached 800 kilometers, the company’s FUSO eCanter small electric truck was only suitable for 100 kilometers.

In order to confirm the strength of Semi, Tesla has carried out a prototype test with XPO Logistics, the largest logistics company in the United States. The final test results confirmed that Semi’s cruising range has indeed reached 800 kilometers.

In November last year, the 1,000-kilometer Semi also started prototype testing in Fremont, California. To some extent, Semi’s ability to break through 1,000 kilometers of battery life is due to Tesla’s latest 4680 battery and the production process behind it.

Compared with the old battery, the energy density of the 4680 battery has increased by 500%, the output power has increased by 600%, and the cost has been reduced by 14%.

Tesla also redesigned the battery shape, the size was expanded to 46mm x 80mm, so it was named 4680 battery. Inspired by the innovation of spacecraft, Tesla linked the lower part of the front and rear bodies.

The battery is no longer just a device for providing energy, but also a part of the actual structure of the vehicle. Tesla calls this design a “structural battery”, and the new design can reduce the weight of the vehicle by 10% and increase the cruising range by 14%.

So far, Tesla has received more than 2,000 Semi orders. But before the release of the 4680 battery, Semi’s mass production plan has experienced multiple ticket skips.

Today, as Semi continues to make new breakthroughs in all aspects of performance, Elon Musk also said that later this year, Semi will be produced in Austin, Texas.

In addition, there are plans to indicate that Tesla’s plant in Nevada will also undertake part of the production of Semi trucks. If it goes well, at the end of the year, you can see Semi-trucks running on the road.

(Source)