We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • Upload your video
  • BLOGS & MORE
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • SCQ Forum
      • Reflections
    • Mobile Apps
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • Upload your video
  • BLOGS & MORE
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • SCQ Forum
      • Reflections
    • Mobile Apps
Home » Tesla Motors tours electric semi truck to customer sites
Forward Thinking

Tesla Motors tours electric semi truck to customer sites

September 4, 2018
Supply Chain Quarterly Staff
No Comments

Electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors has driven a prototype of its much-hyped Tesa Semi to Ruan Transport Corp., an Iowa-based transportation management company that has reserved five of the electrically powered tractor-trailers, as part of a cross-country tour to demonstrate the technology, Ruan said Friday.

Tesla unveiled the vehicle in 2017, saying it would outperform conventional diesel-powered trucks while boasting a driving range of up to 500 miles when production begins in 2019. Since then, industry heavyweights such as FedEx Corp., Schneider Inc., J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., PepsiCo Inc., and UPS Inc. have paid deposits to reserve the vehicles.

Proponents of alternative fuel vehicles say they can cut emissions and reduce fuel costs while improving reliability, as manufacturers such as Daimler Trucks North America LLC, Nissan, Cummins, Thor Trucks Inc.,and Nikola Motor Co. race to develop electric or hydrogen-electric vehicles to fulfill that promise.

Despite that demand, Tesla has made some investors nervous in recent months by missing production targets and deadlines for manufacturing its other electric vehicles, such as its Model 3 sedan. However, in recent weeks, Tesla has ramped up publicity for its Tesla Semi by posting videos to social media showing prototype versions cruising from the firm's California factory through Colorado and visiting customers such as Lowell, Ark.-based J.B. Hunt. 

The latest stop of that tour is Des Moines, Iowa-based Ruan, which said that representatives from Tesla Motors visited with Ruan team members and several customers this weekfor a viewing of the tractor-trailer. "We are excited to have an opportunity to experience the new electric semis," James Cade, Ruan's vice president of fleet services, said in a statement. "The reservation of these vehicles is part of Ruan's sustainability efforts and commitment to providing our customers and professional drivers with the best technology available."

While the $180,000 truck will cost more than a typical $100,000 diesel powered truck, the Tesla Semi will make up the difference through savings in aerodynamics, reliability, and fuel, Ruan said. However, Tesla has still not yet released details such as the total operating cost, according to Ruan.

Ruan also cited Tesla Semi features such as remote diagnostics capabilities that alert technicians to maintenance needs, safety enhancements such as wrap-around windshields and heads-up displays for improved visibility, and Tesla's proprietary Enhanced Autopilot system, with automatic emergency braking, jackknife prevention, forward collision warning, and automatic lane keeping capabilities.

  • Related Articles

    Daimler enlists Penske and NFI in electric truck trials

    CSCMP EDGE conference to offer three facility tours

    UPS tests electric bikes for urban deliveries

Recent Articles by Supply Chain Quarterly Staff

Reports: Outlook calls for stronger supply chains

Gartner: 4 ways to compete with industry disruptors

Survey reveals there’s plenty of room for improvement in e-commerce fulfillment

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Will this be the decade of supply chain sustainability?

  • The 3PL industry: time to reset

  • The four characteristics of a customer-centric supply chain

  • Five principles for creating a supply chain foreign exchange risk mitigation strategy

  • Seizing the helm

Featured Video

Be8de8b1 9bd3 48d6 9400 0bf476fd1f5d

Optimization Through Lean Management 

Viewer Contributed
Uncertain times can put a tremendous strain on your business’s people, processes and supply chains. However, operations can mitigate some of these factors by adopting lean management principles and instilling a culture of continuous improvement. Raymond Lean Management Manager of Solutions and Support Centers Keith...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • The Top Supply Chain Pains That You Should Address For a Healthier 2021

  • Research Report: New Rules for Supply Chain Insights, Collaboration and Overall Resiliency

  • Logistics 2030 – Navigating a Disruptive Decade (Year 2 Report)

View More

Subscribe to Supply Chain Quarterly

Get Your Subscription
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • E-NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2021. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing