370 Tesla Semi Trucks Ordered

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It was just a bit ago Tesla announced its first semi truck coming off of its high-production line. Now, 370 Tesla semi trucks have been ordered by WattEV.

“More than 300 of the Tesla Semis will be deployed under a joint program with the Port of Oakland. Delivery of the first 50 Semis coincides with WattEV’s planned opening of truck-charging stations at the Port of Oakland and in Fresno, both equipped with Tesla’s Megawatt Charging System (MCS) chargers capable of providing 300 miles of range to a Semi in approximately 30 minutes, comparable to a conventional diesel fill-up. Additional depots are scheduled to open this year in Stockton along with Sacramento breaking ground in 2026,” says a press release.

While it’s understandable electric truck charging is compared to diesel truck times for refueling, diesel trucks generate enormous amounts of toxic air pollution and electric semi trucks do not. Some people might be confused and believe electric vehicles are just like gas or diesel vehicles but use electricity. This belief is false — electric semi trucks do not directly generate particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, or volatile organic compounds. They also can be run on clean, renewable electricity from solar power, wind power, hydroelectric power, and geothermal. Diesel trucks can only be run on dirty fossil fuels.

“We expect diesel fuel costs will continue to be a decisive factor in fleet procurement decisions. Our electrified freight solutions allow us to deliver goods at better economics compared to diesel today, and as energy costs diverge further, the economic case only strengthens,” Youssefzadeh said.

The cost of installing new solar power and wind power is actually less than installing new nuclear and new natural gas power plants. The price of diesel fuel can vary depending on all sorts of issues related to geopolitics, dumb wars, international markets, supply chains, inflation, etc. There is also the cost for importing foreign oil. There is a possibility that eventually diesel fuel is phased out because of all the harm it does to humans, non-humans, and the planet.

Electric semi trucks don’t generate toxic air pollution directly, so their drivers are not exposed to it and there aren’t any diesel fumes to be exposed to. Diesel truck drivers breathe diesel fuel fumes when they fuel up at diesel nozzles, and diesel fuel contains toxic chemicals. so it will benefit semi truck drivers to switch to all-electric trucks.