Tesla Passes Two Diesel Semi Trucks on Steep Grades Showing Superior Torque

In a recent video shared by Twitter blogger Zanegler, the Tesla Semi showcased its remarkable capabilities by overtaking diesel trucks on a challenging ascent of Donner Pass in Sierra, Nevada. Zanegler, known for regularly posting fresh videos of Tesla Semi sightings, provided an intriguing glimpse into the power and efficiency of these electric trucks.

Zanegler had been contemplating the best way to safely capture a video comparing the Tesla Semi with diesel Semis navigating a steep grade. With an average grade of 3% ascending the Donner Pass, this footage exhibits the Tesla Semi's performance during its daily operations, hauling fully loaded cargo and investigating potential issues on various routes before commencing volume delivery.

Electric vehicles, including the Tesla Semi, possess exceptional torque power, which is almost instantaneous. This video clearly demonstrates the Semi's effortless overtaking of multiple diesel trucks on an uphill climb. The purpose of these Tesla Semis is not solely limited to testing; they are also employed to transport goods between the Tesla Gigafactory in Nevada, the Fremont factory in California, and Lathrop, as confirmed by Zanegler.

One of the most notable advantages of the Tesla Semi becomes apparent during downhill descents. While traditional diesel trucks rely on engine brakes, the Tesla Semi can maintain a steady speed while simultaneously regenerating energy, making it an environmentally friendly option. This feature saves time and money, as the Tesla Semi's regenerative braking significantly reduces wear and tear on brakes, transmission, and engine components. Additionally, the quiet operation of the Tesla Semi stands in stark contrast to the noise generated by diesel trucks' engine brakes.

However, not everyone was quick to embrace Zanegler's claims. A Twitter user questioned whether the Tesla Semi captured in the video was truly "fully-loaded," arguing that Zanegler lacked factual information regarding the weight or density of the cargo.

I had some thoughts about how to (safely) capture some video of the Tesla Semi vs diesel semi’s going up a steep grade. The average grade ascending the Donner Pass is 7% up to 16%. This is some of what I captured. #Tesla #teslasemi Tesla runs these semi’s daily, fully loaded up… pic.twitter.com/eEHwc1s0DB
— Zanegler (@HinrichsZane) July 14, 2023

In response, Zanegler asserted that the trailer is indeed loaded for every trip on this specific run. To address potential skepticism, Zanegler mentioned a forthcoming video that showcases a Tesla Semi hauling concrete dividers on a flatbed, suggesting that critics might question the authenticity of the cargo.

Besides the impressive performance and efficiency of the Tesla Semi, there is another promising aspect associated with electric semi-trucks in general: the potential elimination of traffic congestion caused by traditional diesel trucks on highways. Here, for example, please see this very unbiased Tesla Semi breakdown from an engineer.

As electric semis gain traction, the roads will become free from traffic jams, resulting in smoother travel for all motorists. Additionally, the absence of noisy engine sounds and the elimination of pollution make electric semis a more environmentally friendly choice for the future.

The Tesla Semi's ascent up Donner Pass offers a compelling glimpse into the potential of electric trucking, with numerous advantages over their diesel counterparts. As the demand for electric semis grows, it is expected that these eco-friendly vehicles will flood the streets of North America in the coming years, revolutionizing the transportation industry and paving the way for a greener future.

UPDATE

The video of the Tesla Semi passing diesel trucks on a steep grade has generated a lot of discussion and debate. Some people are impressed by the Tesla's performance, while others are skeptical about the weight of the load and the range of the battery.

Here are some of the comments from the video:

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebok, Linkedin, and Youtube.