Did you know that TESLA also manufactures an e-truck? But Australia has refused to approve the “Semi”.
We recently reported on the Nikola company’s hydrogen truck. Engineers and other experts have doubts about the concept because the extremely volatile gas requires significantly more complicated technology and a whole new infrastructure that doesn’t even begin to exist. What that means for transportation costs is easy to calculate.
Australia says “no”
We have already looked at similarly entertaining concepts such as solar roofs or high-voltage overhead lines over highways. But it gets even better:
While it has long been known that electrical energy is best used for lighting and computing, it is not best used for wheel traction and heating, because efficiency goes down and costs go up (which is why the EU has abolished powerful home vacuum cleaners, for example).
Vehicle too big – likely because of the large batteries
Nevertheless, Elon Musk and his company Tesla manufactures not only luxury cars but now semi-trucks.
The model, which is not exactly shapely, is probably quite lavish in size due to its gigantic batteries, which is why the Australian traffic authority has refused to grant it approval. The theoretical performance data suggest a large battery: 480 to 800 km range.
The Semi is slightly wider than the maximum permitted 2.50 meters. But rather than comply, Tesla demanded a change in Australian rules:
The Commission will be aware that given Australia’s small size in comparison to global markets, inconsistencies like this between Australian regulations and larger markets will delay or preclude vehicles coming to local markets. Currently, Australia will likely miss out on the first generation of electric heavy vehicles such as the Tesla Semi because of this.”
“Not very trustworthy” claims by Tesla
So pressure with the economic argument?
The Semi is said to have 20% lower operating costs than a comparable diesel – a claim that is not very trustworthy unless you factor in lavish subsidies.
And it is not emission-free either, since the electricity comes from coal or nuclear power plants (and certainly not from the numerous Australian solar and wind power plants).
Read rest at No Tricks Zone
How about making these back to Nature screwballs live in a Grass Hut
Why not demand an insurance policy? All failed vehicles will be retrieved at the expense of the manufacturer. Any and all environmental liabilities covered in your purchase contract, including recycling the detritus of your pumpkin at midnight.
With the help of the subsidies the battery powered semi might be viable in countries that allow its extra width. A new diesel semi runs around $165,000. Tesla said the price for its Semi will start at $150,000 for a model with a 300-mile range, and $180,000 for a 500-mile range. The Tesla semi’s have a pulling capacity similar to diesel rigs. Like cars, the real problem is used market. Just as people who can’t afford to buy a new car also can’t afford to replace the EV batteries, companies that can’t afford new trucks won’t be able to afford to replace the batteries.
Semi used a great deal of energy whether this is in the form of diesel or electric power. Consider the impact of the demand of electric semi’s added to that new demand for electric cars. All this is at the same time the government plans to shut down reliable fossil fuel power plants and replace them with inadequate wind and solar energy.