Tesla says that it designed the Semi as a Class 8 truck, which has a maximum towing capacity of 80,000 pounds.
When the Tesla Semi project was launched in 2017, Teslas said that production versions of the Tesla Semi,
a Class 8 truck with an 80,000-pound towing capacity, would come in options with a range of 300 miles and 500 miles,
priced at $150,000 and $180,000, respectively.
When Tesla first showed off the Semi in November 2017, many critics questioned
whether an all-electric Class 8 heavy-duty truck would stick to its estimated payload by reaching the manufacturing phase.
Tesla says that its highly anticipated Semi will accelerate to 60 miles per hour in 20 seconds when fully loaded,
but truckers may be most intrigued by the Semis ability to climb a five-percent grade at highway speeds.
With multiple electric motors providing max torque, the Tesla Semis acceleration (0-60 mph in 20 seconds) is perfect for carrying hefty loads over steep terrain.
Tesla confirmed the first production trucks would be able to keep up the rated speeds on 6 percent grades,
with the combined load being either near or over the top. Freightliner has since introduced an eCascadia Class 8 Semi,
which is also allowed in the 82,000-pound combine, and has battery packs and ranges each about half that of Teslas.