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>much need for humans to take care of the maintenance of the trucks Is that really true? It seems electric trucks[0] quickly follow from autonomous trucks and

>much need for humans to take care of the maintenance of the trucks Is that really true? It seems electric trucks[0] quickly follow from autonomous trucks and from what I understand, electric vehicles are mechanically much simpler. That leaves truck operators with not much need for a greasemonkey wrenching on a transmission when there is a) little/no grease[1] and b) no transmission[2]. Tire & body shops are about the only maintenance jobs I can think of that won't be reduced/eliminated by the coming changes. [0]https://www.tesla.com/semi https://www.tesla.com/semi [1]https://www.mckinseyenergyinsights.com/insights/impact-of-electric-vehicles-on-lubricants-demand/ https://www.mckinseyenergyinsights.com/insights/impact-of-el... [2]https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-technology/a12019034/why-dont-electric-cars-have-multi-gear-transmissions/ https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-technology/a120190...

EggsOnToast 9y ago
Slight tangent, how's the Tesla semi-truck been doing? When I was looking over the specs the range seemed low compared to a regular semi but I wasn't clear on if that was acceptable because they're targeting a particular subset of the semi-truck market.
- DoubleCribble 9y ago
  It seems like a strange time to buy a nationwide chain of truck stops[0] with the oncoming electrification of vehicles. Unless... there's an opportunity to provide Supercharger access every few hundred miles. [0]https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-03/buffett-s-berkshire-hathaway-acquires-stake-in-pilot-flying-j https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-03/buffett-s...
- paranoidrobot 9y ago
  The range is fine for single-driver operations, as the driver still has to stop and take rest breaks equal to or longer than the stated time to recharge on a 'megacharger'. I suspect that there will be deals done (if not already in progress) between Tesla and/or Fleet companies with truck stops across the country to install (paid) megacharger stalls at appropriate distances. Even if charging time is slightly longer, it might still work out equal if the power of the truck lives up to expectations, and the truck no longer needs to slow down when going up hills.
jaf656s 9y ago
There’s also a lot of drivetrain and suspension related maintenance, but it’s less than engine maintenance.

EggsOnToast 9y ago

Slight tangent, how's the Tesla semi-truck been doing? When I was looking over the specs the range seemed low compared to a regular semi but I wasn't clear on if that was acceptable because they're targeting a particular subset of the semi-truck market.

DoubleCribble 9y ago
It seems like a strange time to buy a nationwide chain of truck stops[0] with the oncoming electrification of vehicles. Unless... there's an opportunity to provide Supercharger access every few hundred miles. [0]https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-03/buffett-s-berkshire-hathaway-acquires-stake-in-pilot-flying-j https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-03/buffett-s...
paranoidrobot 9y ago
The range is fine for single-driver operations, as the driver still has to stop and take rest breaks equal to or longer than the stated time to recharge on a 'megacharger'. I suspect that there will be deals done (if not already in progress) between Tesla and/or Fleet companies with truck stops across the country to install (paid) megacharger stalls at appropriate distances. Even if charging time is slightly longer, it might still work out equal if the power of the truck lives up to expectations, and the truck no longer needs to slow down when going up hills.

jaf656s 9y ago

There’s also a lot of drivetrain and suspension related maintenance, but it’s less than engine maintenance.