A Tesla Model 3, A Powerpack, & A Semi-Truck Shell Walk Into A Bar …
We’ve learned a few things about the Tesla Semi battery lately that I haven’t seen elsewhere, so I decided to create an article (and bad joke) about it. Note that this information comes from someone who very definitely seems to work at Gigafactory 1 in Nevada (has a track record indicating that is the case), but CleanTechnica has not confirmed his identity or the depth of his involvement in these matters.
Getting to the news, first of all, it appears that the Semi’s battery cells will be the same as you have in the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.
Perhaps the most interesting (and confusing) update from “Bill Wright,” though, came on May 2. He noted that the Tesla Semi batteries are a mixture of automotive and Tesla Energy batteries. Assuming the batteries use Model 3/Y cells (as indicated above), I take that to mean that the Semi’s modules or packs will be somewhat related to Tesla Powerpack modules or packs (or Powerwall or Megapack modules or packs).
What that means in detail is certainly unclear. However, the useful bit of information for me is that it shows Tesla continues to use its previous experiences and products to try to solve new problems and create innovative technologies for other segments or sectors. The company’s vertical integration again helps it to evolve and bring breakthrough products to market.
There’s perhaps one more side benefit to this, too. While it is widely assumed Tesla doesn’t have any problems with consumer demand for its products at the moment, this kind of development could help the company to surf past any such challenges if they do arise by shifting some production processes to focus on one product over another — the Semi over Powerpacks, or the Model 3/Y over the Semi, or vice versa on those. I know, I know — it’s blasphemy to imagine Tesla having more production capacity than demand, for any of its products. But it will happen at some point in time. And it’s good to have some moderate diversification than can help the company shift if needed.
Naturally, if the automotive and energy products are mixed together in some fashion in the Semi’s batteries, the shift in production focus has to happen a bit before those packs are produced, which presumably requires different machines. Nonetheless, a bit of sharing is better than no sharing.
Ah, yeah, the joke: “A Tesla Model 3, a Powerpack, & a semi-truck shell walk into a bar …” I don’t have a punchline yet. Maybe you can help me with one based on the information in the article above. Or based on nothing but the first part of the joke.
Related Stories:
- Tesla Model 3 & Model Y Will Get “Universal” Battery Pack “Soon”
- Tesla Semi Pilot Line “Coming Together” — Employee Leak
- Jerome — The Man, The Myth, The Tesla Super-Engineer — #CleanTechnica Interview
- Our Interview With Tesla President Jerome Guillen, Part Deux
- Tesla Semi Truck — 8 Questions
- Tesla’s Vertical Integration Unlocks Hidden Flexibility & Innovation — #CleanTechnica Field Trip
- Tesla — Vertical Integration Is Value Integration
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