“For those who thought Tesla Semis have been a bit like Bigfoot—perhaps you heard about them, perhaps you noticed a fuzzy image, however you weren’t certain in the event that they have been actual or not—they’re actual, they usually’re hauling actual drinks right here in Northern California.”

So says Mike Roeth, Government Director of the North American Council for Freight Effectivity, to kick off a brand new video about PepsiCo’s fleet of Tesla Semis.

Like Bigfoot, the Tesla Semi is a seldom-seen species. In contrast to the crypto-humanoid, the Semi undoubtedly exists (and right here’s the video to show it!). Nevertheless, Tesla has solely delivered a restricted quantity thus far, and most of them are believed to be in operation in PepsiCo’s fleet.

At a logistics heart close to Sacramento, PepsiCo operates 21 Tesla Semis, together with 4 750 kW Megachargers, which allow charging to 80% capability in lower than 45 minutes. PepsiCo additionally operates Ford and BYD EVs on the web site, which will get a lot of its energy from a photo voltaic array.

Anybody inquisitive about fleet electrification ought to watch this video in its entirety—it contains an fascinating dialogue of the complexity of deploying enough charging energy at a fleet depot. Two officers from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) clarify the method, which concerned bringing 3 MW of latest electrical service to the ability, and took three years.

Dejan Antunovic, Electrification Program Supervisor at PepsiCo, explains that almost all of his firm’s Tesla Semis are used for deliveries inside 100 miles, and function for as much as 12 hours a day. Nevertheless, three of the Semis serve routes that fluctuate between 250 and 450 miles. “We’ve been aggressive to push the restrict, and display that we’re capable of obtain a really excessive vary with a fully-loaded tractor,” says he.

Mr. Antunovic says PepsiCo has achieved common effectivity of 1.7 kWh per mile with the Tesla Semi. In accordance with Electrek’s calculations, that works out to a formidable 23% gasoline value discount over essentially the most environment friendly diesel vans (assuming an power value of $0.14 per kWh, the present off-peak fee in Sacramento).

“It is a very massive deal,” says Charles Burton, Director of Fleet Operations for PepsiCo’s North America West Division. “That is going to revolutionize how the trucking business goes to market sooner or later.”

Supply: North American Council for Freight Effectivity by way of Electrek