Weighty Paradox: Tesla Semi Confidently Overtakes Diesel Trucks Uphill With Wrooming Pass

Last time when I posted a similar video of Tesla Semi passing a diesel truck, some of you guys commented saying the weight matters, we need to know how much weight each semi-truck carries. Now, Zanegler says the Tesla Semi-trailer here "is carrying a significant weight." He says he can't share how he knows, but he says he knows it.

He says "I’ll accept all of your apologies for doubting the veracity of these tweets in advance. Just sharing content nothing more. I’m saving the best for last," which makes me think that more interesting Tesla Semi videos are coming up, so please subscribe to this channel as I will report them.

Some people still think electric trucks aren't as powerful as diesel trucks, but that's not true. Look at what Tesla Semi is doing here. Anyone that has worked around engines of any kind, or worked on electric motors knows this is not a big surprise. Electric motors are very powerful. However, this is about the turtle and hare right now. That diesel will still be going while the EV will be charging. That diesel truck still can only drive for a certain number of hours each day, which means that it will not get to the destination any faster than the EV. What would you say about the following question?

1. How is the Tesla Semi able to pass diesel semi trucks on an uphill highway?
2. How much weight is the Tesla Semi trailer carrying?
3. And one more question to which I don’t have an answer. If the Tesla Semi’s driver sits in the middle of the cabin, how easily can he reach out of the window? Or is it, not a big necessity? Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Look I don’t think anyone doubts the ability of the Tesla Semi to haul, it’s got tremendous power. Issues trend towards range vs. Diesel, ability to Team drive, and reimagined Cabin. Tesla Semi’s niche is not to replace Long-Haul trucking; but rather perhaps, shunting and regional.

PepsiCo’s new Semis can haul Frito-Lay food products for around 425 miles (684 km), but for heavier loads of sodas, the trucks will do shorter trips of around 100 miles (160 km), O’Connell said. The same applies to cybertruck, cold weather and heavier load range will be 50 miles.
— daniel haven (@danielhaven111) July 17, 2023

Pepsi seems to be pretty happy with Tesla Semi, as the company recently revealed Tesla Semi operations numbers.

From what we have heard so far the Tesla Semi has three electric motors, which give it more torque than a diesel truck. This torque allows the Tesla Semi to accelerate more quickly, which is important for passing on an uphill highway. Additionally, the Tesla Semi's battery pack is located low in the chassis, which gives it a lower center of gravity than a diesel truck. This lower center of gravity makes the Tesla Semi more stable on hills, which is important for passing safely.

Zanegler says that the Tesla Semi trailer is carrying a "significant weight," but he does not say how much weight it is carrying. However, it is likely that the trailer is carrying a significant amount of weight, as this would explain how the Tesla Semi is able to pass diesel semi trucks on an uphill highway. 

Zangeler also says that Tesla is currently designing a sleeper. First principles and professional-driver input will result in a truck the drivers love and the fleet operator bean-counters love. No downtime for engine service alone will flow to the bottom line.

One of his Twitter followers, Ben Chamberlain, writes and says "I’m a trucker and would love to drive this (meaning the Tesla Semi), also would love to know how it feels going downgrade and regenerating, going down is even more important to me as that is the risky bit." Zanegler quickly replied and said, "Completely agree but makes for boring content. The mass coming downhill will be an asset instead of a liability," referring to Tesla Semi's regenerative braking.

Someone was asking about his speed, to have an idea of at what speed the Tesla semi was going. But Zanegler replied saying he had a driver so can't say for sure and added that it was important to have a driver to do this safely.

 Now someone may say I have a diesel semi and carry the same load from California to Texas. Let me know which one is there in Texas the fastest. Electric cars and trucks do have their benefits and uses, but they don’t fit everyone’s needs or wants. Here is a reply to that. First of all, when are trucks on a cannonball run? With a combustion vehicle, you feel the time and the journey and suffer much worse fatigue. So even if the EV truck takes a couple of hours longer, the quality of that ride is far superior and the quality of the stops is better too.  To your other point, yes a huge amount of trucking is on set regional routes, say from a harbor to a warehouse, etc. Easy for an EV.

A lot of truckers are paid to get the load to the site in time. Not for their comfort. But in the case of the Tesla Semi load time and charging time will often take place simultaneously at depots and hubs. Also, that is why civilized employment practices and proper wages not exploitation should be the norm anyway.

I thank Zanegler for these Tesla Semi unique videos and hope there will be more, especially since he does it safely, using a driver for his car.

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.