Even through sharp whiplash from Tesla’s stock fiasco, the company maintains its image as a high-tech pioneer
It seems as though these days, everything is turning towards electrification. In today’s car market we have electric cars, SUVs, and even motorcycles. However, a critical component of a fully electric world we’ve neglected in the scope of the public’s eyes is electric transportation. While yes, a car can transport you and your family from point A to point B, how would it transport tons of plastic or food? In the United States, nearly 73% of goods are shipped by truck… which all run on fossil fuels.
In a day and age where tractor-trailers seem futile and antiquated, Tesla has sought to change that with their rendition of an all-electric tractor-trailer. Aptly dubbed the Tesla Semi, the truck aims for 500 miles of range and a slew of other futuristic technologies to better streamline the ground freight process. With concepts beginning in 2017, the company has managed to bring the product to market, with initial deliveries being made to PepsiCo in early December 2022. Other companies have sought to make a similar truck, with Shell’s Starship and the partnership of BP and Mercedes- Benz last year in order to create an advanced truck to R&D alternative fuel methods. But, Tesla is the brand name, and might just have the coolest interior.
The Tesla Semi’s Interior is Efficient
From a first glance, it’s different. While traditional 18-wheeler cabins have a myriad of gauges, a transmission lever stuck out of the underbelly, and a driver-centric ethos, the Semi has none of that. Instead, the Semi only has one seat situated in the middle of the truck. Essentially the same concept as the McLaren F1, just without the speed. By definition, this makes the cabin driver-focused, but at a look, it looks to be spaced out evenly, and no major turns towards the steering wheel in terms of the side columns.
It’s clearly taken from the design of Tesla’s passenger vehicles, more so the Model X and S. It’s minimalist, designed to be as simple as possible. The steering wheel was taken from the X and the S, a tie-in that hosts every Tesla under the brand name’s umbrella. While being simple, it’s still high-tech. The two screens on either side are two more than nearly every 18-wheeler has, solidifying the company’s public stature as a technology company who just happens to build automobiles.
The Tesla Semi Interior Has A Minimalist Design
Despite being simple and user-friendly in the scheme of design, the interior is barebones and devoid of any character. Its personality is bland and boring, with basic silver trim and Tesla plain white fabric. While most traditional tractor-trailers have some sort of character, whether it be wood trim or aluminum finishing, it adds a bit of flair to the truck, especially on long hauls.
The truck also seems to omit critical parts of operation such as wiper and turn signal stocks. Such a regression could pose a steep learning curve to people who are already critical of making the switch to electric vehicles. A lack of character alienates a massive amount of companies and truckers, and possibly consumers who want to use the truck for their personal companies, rather than a major corporation.
This Is Tesla’s World
Like aforementioned, this is Tesla’s design mantra. Simple but efficient, but that leads to a lot more issues than solutions in our world. Trucks that look all the same may look like The Jetsons, but in our ever-changing world, it’s important to stand out and be unique. The issue lies in the vehicle’s simplicity itself.
It poses a deep delve into the world Tesla wants to create. Similar to Apple’s master plan, the company wants everything to be a web of its own products, which creates issues with consumers. After rumors of BMW’s subscription service, it wouldn’t be outlandish to think that Tesla might try and pull the same thing. A disservice to customers, Tesla already runs the autopilot program at a $10,000 fee, however the company has stated that all Semis will come with autopilot as standard.
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