The 5 Best Tesla Semi Competitors
Reading Time: 4 minutesJust like EVs, it won’t be long before electric semis take over the roads.
The Tesla Semi is the most famous electric big rig truck. In fact, many people might think it’s the only electric semi-truck on the market.
However, this isn’t the case, and surprisingly enough, various competitors are challenging Tesla in the heated electric transport truck segment. Vehicles like this still have a long way to go, but the potential is there to ultimately eliminate diesel trucks from the road altogether.
1. Freightliner eCascadia
Freightliner is an iconic semi-truck brand, and the electric eCascadia looks mostly like any normal semi-truck. This might be a good thing for truck drivers that are used to the overall design of the existing Freightliner trucks, and making the switch to electric won’t seem like such a huge jump.
The eCascadia offers up two powerful powertrain choices from Detroit, with the ability to choose between dual-motor and a single electric motor to propel the truck forward. The dual-motor option delivers an incredible 23,000 lb-ft of torque, which is probably enough to uproot your entire house and take it with you wherever you want.
Obviously, electric motors are kings when it comes to torque and instant delivery, so truck drivers might be initially surprised at how responsive these electric motors can be.
Another option is the single-motor, which delivers basically half the power figures of the dual-motor version. With the single-motor version, you can expect 11,500 lb-ft of torque.
Clearly, these electric motors aren’t wanting in the torque department. However, this is actually great for truck drivers, especially if they’re taking off with a heavy load at low speeds.
Regular trucks might struggle from a dig, but electric motors are in their element in low RPM situations. If you run across an eCascadia on the road, you might not even realize it, which is another positive for truck drivers who just want to get the job done.
The same cannot be said about the extravagant Tesla Semi, as people will probably be taking photos of it nonstop.
2. Volvo VNR Electric
The Volvo VNR Electric is another EV truck that looks very much like a traditional diesel big rig, but it’s rocking an electric powertrain. This truck features the option to go for a four-battery or a six-battery configuration.
The available range is up to 275 miles, which is excellent for a vehicle of such monstrous dimensions. Volvo says its 6×2 model can carry a total GCW of 82,000 lbs, which makes it competitive with other EV trucks, including the Tesla Semi.
Volvo’s electric truck serves up 455 horsepower and 4,051 lb-ft of torque, and the torque is available instantly because it’s electric. One of the biggest advantages traditional truck-makers have over the Tesla Semi is the relationship they’ve built with customers over the years.
If they can provide electric solutions that work for their customers, it’ll be difficult for Tesla to pry them away from the established big rig brands. Unfortunately, if you’re looking for huge range figures from the competition, Tesla has the upper hand in this department.
The 500 miles range offered by the semi seems unlikely to be beaten any time soon, which shows just how important it is to get a jump on the competition. Now, traditional truck manufacturers are playing catch up to Tesla. Sound familiar?
3. Peterbilt 579 EV
Another semi-truck that looks almost exactly like a traditional diesel big rig is the Peterbilt 579 EV. Its body is almost indistinguishable from traditional diesel trucks, so you’ll have to be on the lookout for minor visual cues like the blue accents on the grille.
One of the biggest advantages Tesla has over traditional truck makers is the fact that Tesla has been able to design a new EV truck from scratch, taking into account that aerodynamics play a crucial role in extending range. As a result, many traditional truck companies are playing catch up and converting regular truck bodies to EV duties.
This sacrifices range, and it might be too late if they don’t develop an all-electric model from scratch soon. Peterbilt says its 579 EV made it all the way to the top of Pikes Peak and was able to recharge on the way down using regenerative braking.
This is impressive, and the difficult terrain provides a glimpse of how the truck will perform in the real world in similarly difficult terrain. In addition, the Peterbilt 579 EV can go up to 150 miles on a single charge.
4. Nikola TRE BEV
The Nikola TRE BEV looks like an EV semi-truck, and the design is futuristic. It also features a stout 330 miles of driving range, which isn’t as much as the Tesla Semi, but still great compared to most of its direct electric competitors.
The Nikola TRE is also extremely fast, with a top speed of 70 MPH. However, I’m sure faster semi trucks aren’t something too many people are overly excited about.
Imagine sharing the road with huge trucks that keep getting faster and faster, not exactly the most pleasant thought. Nikola fitted the TRE BEV with a 733 kWh battery, and the recharging process to 80% only takes 90 minutes if you’re using a 350kW fast charger.
The Nikola puts out 645 horsepower, making this truck a beast of a workhorse that will have zero problems tackling most jobs.
5. Mercedes-Benz eActros
The Mercedes-Benz eAtros looks exactly like what it is, the Mercedes-Benz of semi-trucks. The silver paint scheme is typical Mercedes, and the front end is distinctively Benz with the huge grille and the prominent three-pointed star.
In terms of style, this truck is probably the best-looking semi on the road, and it even gives the Tesla Semi a run for its money. The eActros is available in two battery configurations, and the largest 448kWh battery allows the truck to travel approximately 248 miles on a single charge.
This range relegates it to city distribution duties or delivery to closer destinations. It’s funny that Tesla is setting the bar in a segment in which it has no prior experience, and yet the power players are already having to play catch up.
Mercedes says that the eActros can make deliveries at night due to the low-noise powertrain and can also deliver in cities with emission bans.
EV Semi Trucks Are Already Playing Catch Up to Tesla
Tesla is a new player in the commercial semi-truck sector, but it’s already innovating massively, to the point that traditional strong players in the segment are left eating dust.
The other manufacturers in this segment need to deliver a vehicle with a comparable range to the Tesla Semi. Otherwise, Tesla will take over this segment with ease.
Reference: https://www.makeuseof.com/best-tesla-semi-competitors/
Ref: makeuseof
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