We’re back with a special episode of The InEVitable after a long, late summer break, mostly because we’ve been slammed with our annual programs (MotorTrend’s Car, Truck, SUV of the Year) as well as a ton of vehicle launches, including Tesla’s new electric Semi, which is the focus of our latest episode.
Tesla invited us to the “Rollout” launch of its production Class 8 semi truck at the new factory where it is built, in Sparks, Nevada. Not only did we get to see the new electric big rig, we got to drive it, tour the factory, and chat with some customers who have big plans for the 1,076-hp Semi.
Although we have a lot of experience evaluating Tesla passenger cars and trucks, Semi is a much different vehicle. The tractor alone is over 20 feet long and 13 feet tall with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 48,000 pounds. When connected to a trailer, it maxes out at a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 82,000 pounds, and maxes out our knowledge of vehicles that can tow very heavy things. In the MotorTrend universe, our heaviest haulers are typically “heavy duty” pickup trucks with dual rear wheels and fifth-wheel receivers that can tow upwards of 30,000 pounds. Semi is way beefier, with a lot more to understand.
To ensure we got the fullest picture of Semi’s capabilities and Tesla’s approach to the Class 8 commercial trucking world, we reached out to FreightWaves, one of the leading media outlets that covers trucking, freight, logistics, and supply chain. FreightWaves editorial director, Adam Wingfield, was an invited guest of Tesla as well, and graciously agreed to provide us with his impressions after driving Semi by itself and after towing a load of approximately 37,000 pounds.
Wingfield is a veteran trucker, with well over a million miles of Class 8 trucking under his belt, and experience as both a hired driver and owner/operator of his own rig, before joining FreightWaves in an editorial capacity. What’s unique about Wingfield’s driving resume is that he had never driven any Tesla whatsoever prior to driving the Semi. So, what you’ll hear on this podcast are the unfiltered thoughts of a trucking industry veteran, who isn’t a Tesla or EV “stan.” Wingfield is far from a EV cheerleader, as you’ll learn on the pod—if anything he was very skeptical of Tesla’s entire approach, from the central seating position to the funky touchscreen controls to the all-electric approach.
Did his first experience with Tesla and using the Semi to tow a trailer up an 8 percent grade change his mind? Tune in to find out, right here or on our YouTube channel. If audio is your thing, download the podcast hereor wherever you listen to your podcasts. Like it? Please tell your friends, share us on social media, like the video, and don’t forget to give us a five-star review.
Special thanks to FreightWaves and Adam Wingfield for the time and great conversation.
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