PepsiCo, the company behind brands such as Quaker Oats, Doritos, and of course, Pepsi Cola has announced plans to use 100 Tesla Semi vehicles this year. This is part of PepsiCo’s plans for a complete overhaul of its plants, turning them into more technologically advanced sites. PepsiCo is the first company to commit to using the Tesla Semis.
According to Tesla, each semi truck is fully electric and is making way for the future of trucking. Some of the specifics about each semi-truck include
- The ability to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 20 seconds
- An estimated 500-mile range on a single charge
- Recharge up to 70 percent of range capacity in 30 minutes
- Driver seat located in the center of cabin to provide better visibility
- Truck design reduces chances of rollover and cabin intrusion in the event of an accident
- Estimated $200,000 in fuel savings within first three years of operation
There are many expected benefits PepsiCo plans to see from the use of these electric semi-trucks. It’s starting conversations about the use of electric vehicles in the trucking business and other companies are jumping on board. United Parcel Service Inc and Sysco Corp have also made bids to use the trucks for their businesses. Meanwhile, companies like Walmart are looking at alternative electric vehicles.
The Benefits of Electric Semi-trucks
Transportation experts believe Tesla’s advancements will bring forth improvements to the U.S. economy and environment. Other companies like Volvo are not far behind in getting their electric semi trucks on the road.
According to economists, companies that move to electric semi-vehicles can significantly cut back on their fuel costs. With companies like Tesla stating that their vehicles will feature fewer mechanical features, companies can also expect to save on vehicle maintenance and repair fees.
In terms of the environmental benefits, some believe that the benefits will depend on how these electric vehicles are powered. If the charging stations come from nuclear or other sources that don’t include oil and natural gas then it will be worth it to switch from diesel to electric.
With lower operating costs, a trickle-down effect could impact consumers in stores. The price of goods could be lower since companies won’t have to include extra fees to make up for the high costs to fuel their semi-trucks.
It is also believed that electric vehicles will significantly reduce noise pollution in metropolitan areas. This could create a change in city planning. Developers might be able to create neighborhoods that are closer to highways and interstates.
Reducing the noisiness might also mean better efficiency for loading and unloading products from trucks. Many areas have made it illegal to load or unload diesel trucks at nighttime. Without these restrictions, companies can make sure their products reach their destinations and drivers can continue with their business with fewer delays.
Forerunner Insurance Group: Keeping You Informed
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