Tesla Semi Picture credit score: u/Tutrifor

Pepsi, the primary buyer to make use of Tesla Semi, has commented on the deployment of the electrical truck in its fleet and made some unusual remarks about its vary.

When Tesla began deliveries of the Tesla Semi earlier this month, its first buyer to take supply was PepsiCo.

Now the corporate is commenting on the mixing of the electrical truck in its fleet for the primary time in a Reuters article based mostly on an interview with PepsiCo Vice President Mike O’Connell, however the article glosses over some very unusual feedback in regards to the Tesla Semi’s vary.

O’Connell confirmed that PepsiCo is at the moment deploying 36 Tesla Semis: 15 in Modesto and 21 in Sacramento. The corporate expects to take supply of the 100 Tesla Semi vans it ordered by the top of 2023.

The place issues acquired unusual is when O’Connell, in line with the article, talked in regards to the vary of the Tesla Semi:

PepsiCo’s new Semis can haul Frito-Lay meals merchandise for round 425 miles (684 km), however for heavier a great deal of sodas, the vans will do shorter journeys of round 100 miles (160 km), O’Connell stated.

O’Connell reportedly said that the corporate’s Tesla Semi vans nonetheless have 20% cost after carrying a great deal of chips over 425 miles.

But it surely’s unclear why the vans solely do 100-mile journeys with a great deal of sodas.

Tesla has clearly said that the Tesla Semi can obtain a variety of over 500 miles with a full load at 82,000 lbs.

We reported that, sadly, Tesla hasn’t launched the load of the truck, and subsequently, we don’t know the precise load capability of the Tesla Semi, however we all know that it could journey 500 miles at full capability.

It’s true {that a} trailer stuffed with chips goes to be lighter than a trailer stuffed with sodas, however on the finish of the day, they’re each restricted to 82,000 lbs in an electrical truck as per rules. Subsequently, Tesla Semi ought to have the ability to journey 500 miles with a trailer of sodas at capability.

Electrek’s Take

As I said in my article in regards to the Tesla Semi’s battery pack and the lacking info from Tesla’s presentation, we actually want Tesla to substantiate the load of the truck to know the precise load capability.

I estimate the load of the Tesla Semi to be about 27,000 lbs, which is definitely larger than most diesel semi vans and would lead to a decrease load capability.

However based mostly on the data Tesla launched, the truck can nonetheless journey 500 miles at 82,000 lbs complete weight (truck, trailer, and cargo) whatever the precise load capability. That’s why it’s so unusual that PepsiCo says it’s limiting journeys with sodas to 100 miles.

I don’t know if it’s based mostly on a lack of expertise or if there was some kind of miscommunication within the interview.

What do you suppose? Tell us within the remark part under.