DrScience01 t1_izzctyl wrote on December 12, 2022 at 11:23 PM

Reply to comment by Narvarre in Tesla Semi 500-Mile Trip Video Shows Truck May Have Had a Lower GVW Than 81,000 Lb by Ssider69

Why? If EV trucks are allowed to do that then why give the limit to diesel trucks

TacTurtle t1_izzlp1j wrote on December 13, 2022 at 12:27 AM

The extra 2k is a fuel allowance, which an electric doesn’t need.

armchair0pirate t1_j005c1u wrote on December 13, 2022 at 2:54 AM

Yes they do. The battery packs.

cheapcheap1 t1_j00bxkx wrote on December 13, 2022 at 3:46 AM

I suppose the idea is that diesel trucks can get weighed with a near-empty tank, meaning they end up on the road with their weighed weight + fuel on top. EV trucks cannot remove the battery during weighing.

lankyevilme t1_izzjglr wrote on December 13, 2022 at 12:11 AM

They are trying to throw a carrot to the electric truck because the batteries are so heavy. An extra 2000lbs isn't going to make much difference to the roads, but can offset some of the extra weight of the heavy battery packs of the electric semis.

Ok-Welder-4816 t1_izzx7f4 wrote on December 13, 2022 at 1:53 AM

Actually it does make a big difference. Road damage increases proportional to the 4th power of GVW.

Some simple math shows that cars do just a couple % of damage, whereas trucks do the vast majority.

Ancient_Persimmon t1_j03jpk5 wrote on December 13, 2022 at 8:41 PM

Trucks do the vast majority of damage, but a difference of ~2.5%, which is about the weight of full fuel tanks isn't going to change that amount by an appreciable amount.

Especially since many states and provinces actually allow more than the federal standard, provided the axle count/configuration meets their rules. Michigan goes up to 164 000lbs with 11 axles and Quebec/Ontario are similar.