New Semi Information

This video claims to have more current information on the Semi:

Highlights:

• Change to motor layout: One motor per Axel: Front/Middle/Rear.
• Only one charge port. (MCS only?)
• TACC currently active (The rest of AP not yet.)
• Extra cameras won't be needed on the trailer for AP usage.

 

[ThomasD]

Why add a front drive axle when it will add weight to the Semi? How far out to the sides will the FSD cameras be able to see? Will it be possible to add outriggers to move the cameras out farther so FSD can be used while towing wide loads?

 

[gsmith123]

The cameras are in the mirror housing - there's one facing back (the "repeater camera" in cars), one outwards (the "pillar camera") on cars, and one extremely wide angle view down for looking down at the front bump (no equivalent on cars). That should give the rear facing camera 1-2 feet of offset from the edge of the vehicle.


The semis don't have Autopilot enabled yet, but I'd be surprised if the camera position is adjustable. That's a lot of work for a rather small gain. They'll be more likely to position them at an angle acceptable for 99% of the loads semi will haul.

Here's the camera exterior: Go Inside the New Tesla Semi: Features, Screens, Seats, and More

Camera views: Go Inside the New Tesla Semi: Features, Screens, Seats, and More

 

[EbS-P]

Why add a front drive axle when it will add weight to the Semi? How far out to the sides will the FSD cameras be able to see? Will it be possible to add outriggers to move the cameras out farther so FSD can be used while towing wide loads?

The extra drive unit weight is probably almost inconsequential given the battery pack itself is probably 9k-10k pounds.

 

[gsmith123]

The extra weight may be minor, but you don't get to where Tesla is on vehicle efficiency by ignoring the little things.

There's just not that much benefit to a front motor, it has at least minor weight (aka range and payload) penalties, and larger maintenance and manufacturing overhead. The last point alone is enough to warrant not having a front motor.

 

[EbS-P]

The extra weight may be minor, but you don't get to where Tesla is on vehicle efficiency by ignoring the little things.

There's just not that much benefit to a front motor, it has at least minor weight (aka range and payload) penalties, and larger maintenance and manufacturing overhead. The last point alone is enough to warrant not having a front motor.

I agree it’s not worth from a maintenance point alone.

 

[ThomasD]

Has Tesla delivered the Semi to customers other than Pepsi?

 

[gsmith123]

Just Pepsi (and the ones used by the their food division Fritolay) so far

 

[MP3Mike]

For those interested here is a comparision of the differential between a front Model S Plaid motor and a Lucid motor:

The Lucid one is much smaller, but that is because it is before the gear reduction, so it requires two sets of gear reduction units.

 

[Nack]

Has Tesla delivered the Semi to customers other than Pepsi?

Nope. The Pepsi units are most likely “customer validation” units which is a phase before actual production.

Manufacturers do this to get real world feedback from a small set of vehicles with an understanding partner customer.

Tesla can call it whatever they want, but these “production” trucks are run in a similar fashion to most companies quality and volume validation development units.

 

[ThomasD]

Could that be why no one knew what the Semis cost Pepsi? They aren't really Trucks that belong to Pepsi. They are preproduction Trucks that Tesla still owns being used for real world testing.

 

[mongo]

Nope. The Pepsi units are most likely “customer validation” units which is a phase before actual production.

Manufacturers do this to get real world feedback from a small set of vehicles with an understanding partner customer.

Tesla can call it whatever they want, but these “production” trucks are run in a similar fashion to most companies quality and volume validation development units.

If they weren't delivered, would they have been subject to the brake module recall?

"All Tesla Semi service teams will be notified about this recall on or shortly after March 27, 2023. Owner notification letters will be mailed in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 577.7. "

 

[Nack]

Again, Tesla can choose to call them production to promote them as such. It does not mean they are really production units in the sense of standard automotive engineering parctice. It all depends on how much risk you are willing to take on. Many companies are risk averse, but Tesla is more of a FAFO mentality.

Because Tesla does not operate in a traditional fashion its just hard to compare one to the other. Clearly the business model Tesla has used has worked out well for them so I can’t say its wrong, it’s just different.

 

[Musskiah]

Zanegler confirms Semi is in production at low volume factory! He estimates likely output is 500-1000 (annually?)

 

[israndy]

Seems like that would be enough that a YouTuber could've gotten their hands on one by now

 

[mongo]

I own a Model X. 24k miles out of a set of axles. Sure it could all be software engineered so there is very little torque applied if the wheels aren’t straight. It just seems like adding lots of complexity to a front end suspension.

The steering axles on Semi aren't powered, the two sets of rear axles are. One with a single motor and differential, the other with two motors (one per side) and clutches.

 

[AMPd]

Could that be why no one knew what the Semis cost Pepsi? They aren't really Trucks that belong to Pepsi. They are preproduction Trucks that Tesla still owns being used for real world testing.

It cost Pepsi nothing, the state of California paid for them.

 

[Nack]

It cost Pepsi nothing, the state of California paid for them.

This assumes the vehicles were actually sold at market rates. Since it looks much more like a customer test as part of validation the vehicles can be “sold” to the customer for very favorable terms so its a win win for both parties. Would not be surprised if they are lease only and will be scrapped later like most manufacturers as they are development vehicles and cannot be sold.

I don’t know the situation here, but it sure looks and smells like customer validation testing and most likely is.

If the vehicles are purchased you are correct that California paid a good chunk of the cost through the HVIP program. The Tesla is not an approved option though so maybe not.

Tractor - Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project | California HVIP

Fleets that operate Class 3 to Class 8 vehicles in California are eligible for voucher incentives! Learn more how Tractor is eligible for HVIP incentive programs.

californiahvip.org

 

[AMPd]

This assumes the vehicles were actually sold at market rates. Since it looks much more like a customer test as part of validation the vehicles can be “sold” to the customer for very favorable terms so its a win win for both parties. Would not be surprised if they are lease only and will be scrapped later like most manufacturers as they are development vehicles and cannot be sold.

I don’t know the situation here, but it sure looks and smells like customer validation testing and most likely is.

If the vehicles are purchased you are correct that California paid a good chunk of the cost through the HVIP program. The Tesla is not an approved option though so maybe not.

Tractor - Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project | California HVIP

Fleets that operate Class 3 to Class 8 vehicles in California are eligible for voucher incentives! Learn more how Tractor is eligible for HVIP incentive programs.

californiahvip.org

PepsiCo is using 36 Tesla Semis in its fleet and is upgrading facilities for more in 2023, exec says

PepsiCo plans to roll out 100 Tesla Semis in 2023, when it will start making deliveries, the company's top supply chain official told Reuters.

www.cnbc.com

California gave Pepsi 15.4 million to purchase the trucks.

 

[Nack]

PepsiCo is using 36 Tesla Semis in its fleet and is upgrading facilities for more in 2023, exec says

PepsiCo plans to roll out 100 Tesla Semis in 2023, when it will start making deliveries, the company's top supply chain official told Reuters.

www.cnbc.com

California gave Pepsi 15.4 million to purchase the trucks.

Ah, there is a lot of different grants through various organizations in California so that makes sense! Thanks for the correction.