Tesla Semi Up Close – Canadian Unveil Event in Vaughan [Gallery]

Tesla held an event on April 14 to show off the Tesla Semi truck to Canadian fans for the first time. We were there to get impressions and learn as much as possible about this impressive new vehicle. While the truck at the event is not the latest iteration of the design, it still showcases a lot of the engineering and technologies that make 500 mile hauling possible.

As you can see, it’s a very aerodynamically focused semi truck, with a center driving position, which results in a narrower front profile. There are also flexible side skits to reduce airflow under the truck, as well as active aero covers in between the cab and trailer to reduce turbulent air.

The inside is a nice place to spend time, with a comfortable seat and dual 16-inch screens with a very familiar Tesla UI. Visibility seems excellent too, with a center seating position and large mirrors.

On the charging side, the truck features an MCS (not NACS) connector for DC fast charging. The Tesla Semi will be capable of up to 1.2 MW (that’s 1,200 kW!) charging speeds. But if it charges anything like their other vehicles, we can expect the peak charging rate to be brief. However, the company is still quoting a 60% top up in 30 minutes. With the 500 mile range, that should mean 300 miles (500km) added in half an hour. Not bad, since truck drivers need to take mandatory breaks.

We really look forward to seeing Tesla Semis on the road, starting later this year when it enters volume production. Semi trucks represent a small number of vehicles on the road, but they are heavily utilized and have an outsized impact on air quality.

This should also be a more succesful and impactful product for Tesla’s financials than the Cybertruck, which turned out to be a niche product with polarizing design. The Semi has a more friendly face, and buyers are going to be swayed by the numbers. Running costs, maintenance, and fuelling is expected to be much cheaper than diesel equivalents.