Stock is on a clear path.
Not too long ago Tesla was a risk, let's see how they operate with confidence.
I hope their semi will deliver.
ps: also battery technology and chemistry. Very important.
Not too long ago Tesla was a risk, let's see how they operate with confidence.
I hope their semi will deliver.
ps: also battery technology and chemistry. Very important.
It could be a really big step change in operating costs for long-haul transport. Even without the "road train" autopilot stuff (which to me is a lot more feasible than what they're trying to do with self driving). If they can deliver at anywhere near their reported costs, it will be a game-changer. (And is more economically compelling than electric commuter cars.)
If they really deliver on it, it'd be nice to see them try a compelling, long-distance, high speed inter-city-capable electric bus (as Musk once hinted at but then changed his mind) using the Semi powertrain. Highway speed range could be in excess of 1000miles, or possibly around 300-500 miles if going at a high-speed-rail-like 125mph along a dedicated high speed express busway.
No one else is even close to what is needed for a long-haul electric Semi. Tesla's v3 250kW-capable charging infrastructure if ganged together 4 at a time (like they've done with the prototype) would enable plenty fast charging, and they already have much of this deployed. Tesla also has industry-leading battery energy to weight ratio AND drivetrain efficiency, which combine to make long-haul electric trucking feasible (i.e. full-shift driving range with full typical payload without exceeding weight limits). That efficiency reduces the cost of battery and charging as well which makes their upfront manufacture and running cost also lower.
(And with a lower range battery, your battery will also typically be lower total mileage life... so although making a short range electric semi is pretty easy, you kind of need to hit ALL these metrics together for long-haul electric trucking to be compelling...)