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

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

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.