Tesla Truck

And you can charge them with your solar roof panel!!

 

Can you say "off the grid"?

 

Solar power is going to grow exponentially in the near future too

Tie it into your Tesla whole home Powerwall battery set up

https://www.tesla.com/en_CA/POWERWALL

 

I'm anxious to see the price tag, but you should probably know that Tesla does not like modifications to THEIR product. I have other criticisms of their vehicles, but that should be a consideration with this crowd.

 

Tesla will never build a real 4x4 pickup, but someone will eventually. People are alreay tuning and hot rodding current products. Only a matter of time.

 

Solar panels on the roof, power accessories like stereo/ac without having to use the actual battery, any excess can go into charging the batteries while driving.

Awaiting Elon's phone call for a position at the company.

 

MGU-K and MGU-H charge the battery

 

I wonder what the range will be like

 

Benz announces an all electric semi for city use, and a light distribution truck for courier services.

https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/27/m...t-fully-electric-heavy-urban-transport-truck/

 

Well there you have it. The Tesla rendering is now based on the Ridgeline.
Must be because the Ridgeline is so awesome.

 

IMO this will never actually happen. Trucks are built with the primary motivator of having high torque and the ability to carry heavy weight. Standard EV batteries are already a large percentage entire car's weight. If you look at Tesla's new Model X, you can note that the vehicle itself weights around 5,300 pounds, with the battery coming in around 1,200 (roughly 1/5 of the overall weight). It averages (depending on trim) around 500 lbs of torque, which is significant considering everything. Now look at some benchmarks for trucks.

2016 Tesla Model X
Weight: 5,300 lbs
Torque: 500 lbs
Towing: 5,000 lbs

2016 Tundra (towing petrol benchmark)
Weight: 5,300 lbs
Torque: 375 lbs
Towing: 8,500 lbs (average)

2016 Dodge Ram 2500 (towing diesel benchmark)
Weight: 6,500 lbs
Torque: 600 lbs (average)
Towing: 10,500 lbs (average)

Based on this information, we can draw these conclusions. The Model X has a Torque Ratio (torque/towing capacity) of .1, Tundra is .0441, and the Ram is .0571.
In order to be fairly functional as a truck, the battery would need to have more power. Let's assume that 1 lb of torque is roughly 2 lbs for battery (torque/battery weight). In order to achieve similar towing capacity to the petrol base, the Model X would have its battery increase in weight by 700 lbs, taking it to 2k lbs, bringing overall weight to 6k lbs (1/3 the weight)

What does all this mean? The Model X would weigh in the same as the Dodge Ram 2500 and would only be able to carry as much as a Tundra. Something that is inefficient for construction costs.

Now let's factor in the price for just the battery. Keep in mind that the Model X boasts around a price tag of 90k, compared to 40k for the Tundra and, 50k for the ram (prices are averaged). Several sources indicate that the price for the LiOn batteries is about $145.kWh. The base Model X battery would need to be increased by upwards of 50%, meaning a hefty price tag. This would likely take the base price to upwards of 100k!

Taking a step back and summarizing everything. It is not practical to manufacture a full electric consumer truck (semi trucks are a different story). You would essentially be paying twice the price of a Ram 2500 to not even have comparable towing capabilities.

However, all things considered, I am human and I don't know everything about this subject. I could be wrong and I may have misinterpreted information. However, I believe the core of my argument to be intact and fair.

 

Well in that case the Tacoma should have never happened either.

 

The Tacoma has never been advertised as an HD truck designed for towing. It serves a different purpose, same as the Colorado/Canyon/Ranger, etc. It still has the ability to tow, but no where near the same capacity as full size and HD trucks.

 

The original info stated that they would be using the aluminum f-150's chassis and body.

 

Is the Tesla truck supposed to be in the full size class or the midsize class?

 

Not 100% sure. That would definitely be a factor. Knowing Tesla's build style, I'd suspect that it would be a midsize truck (I'm taking this based on the idea that the Models 3, X, S are all smaller vehicles). If this were the case, it could potentially mute my entire argument as my main premise is built around fullsize capabilities for towing. However, the cost factor would still be an argument against its practicality.

 

I think this could be amazing. Imagine rock crawling with complete power control...the ease of maintenance would be great, no oil, filters, spark plugs, exhausts, seals, engines, ect.

Can't wait to see what Tesla comes up with.

_Charlie

 

The Tesla truck will be a light truck / pickup / grocery getter

 

Google " Tesla F-150 " at one point there was info making it sound like they were going to use F-150's but now I see a ton of articles quoting Tesla saying they are going after the F-150 market specifically.

 

You think the f150 isn't a light truck ?