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Authored by Mike Shedlock via MishTalk.com,

Due to Biden’s regulations, truckers are driving older engines longer because they can’t afford newer diesel models. The result is more pollution.

California’s EV Rules Reduce Truck Sales by 50 Percent

The Wall Street Journal reports You Can’t Buy That Diesel Truck.

Driving Range (AI Generated)

• Tesla Semi: The Tesla Semi has a range of approximately 300 or 500 miles. The 500 mile extended-range version starts at $180,000. 

• Freightliner eCascadia: The eCascadia’s driving range depends on the battery capacity and configuration. The 438 kWh battery has a range of 230 miles for the 4×2 configuration and 220 miles for the 6×4 configuration. The 291 kWh battery has a range of 155 miles for the 4×2 configuration. 

• Volvo VNR Electric: The Volvo VNR Electric has a range of 275 miles. 

• Kenworth T680E: The Kenworth T680E has a range of 150 miles. 

• Peterbilt 579EV: The Peterbilt 579EV has a range of 150 miles. 

• BYD 8TT: The BYD 8TT has a range of 167 miles. 

In contrast to the above EV estimates, the driving range of a diesel semi is 900 to 2,000 miles on average.

EV Foothold

TruckParkingClub provides a closer look at how heavy electric trucks are gaining a foothold.

Foothold Math

13,000 / 12.2 million = 0.1 percent. That’s not much of a foothold.

Tesla (TSLA) Semi Rollout

Elon Muck said he would be producing 50,000 EV semis a year. That was in 2017.

As of December 21, 2023, the Tesla Semi Fleet Has Almost 100 Trucks

It took Tesla 5 years to produce a single truck. And we are now up to a grand total of 100, almost.

50,000 promised in 2017. Almost 100 delivered by the end of 2023.

Issues

Lack of charging stations is a huge issue. Also, what would the price of electricity be if we were to meet the zero emission goals in the stated timeframe?

And totally made in the US with 100 percent US components? Forget it. We do not have the minerals needed for the batteries.

O.K. EVs will happen. But the pace will not be remotely close to what is expected.

4 Million Semis on the Road, Only 35 Class 8 Truck EV Charging Stations

On April 1, I noted 4 Million Semis on the Road, Only 35 Class 8 Truck EV Charging Stations

I keep seeing reports that diesel EV are less expensive if one takes in the cost of diesel at 6.5 or 7.0 gallons per mile.

But I’ll tell you what. If EVs were less expensive in practice, all things considered, penetration would not be 0.1 percent.

Heck, it’s tough selling them with $40,000 tax credits even in California which has more chargers than anywhere else.