News
Tesla pickup truck’s 300k-lb towing capacity is crazy but feasible
In a series of tweets on Tuesday night, Elon Musk provided a number of new details about the Tesla pickup truck. Among these is the massive electric vehicle’s insane towing capacity of up to 300,000 pounds, or 150 tons. Such a figure is pretty much unheard of among pickup trucks, especially considering that even Class 8 semitrailers, including the Tesla Semi, are limited to 80,000-pound loads.
Nevertheless, Elon Musk’s figures for the pickup truck’s maximum towing capacity are actually feasible, and this could be proven by one of Tesla’s vehicles already on sale today — the Model X.
The all-electric luxury SUV is officially rated with a 3,500-pound towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Nevertheless, the Model X has proven that it could pull loads far beyond its rated capabilities. Earlier this year, for example, the Model X was able to pull a 95,000-pound semitrailer on an icy road. The all-electric SUV was also able to haul 250,000 pounds of dirt from a Boring Company tunnel. Lastly, the all-electric SUV was able to pull a Boeing 787-9, which coincidentally weighs around 297,000 pounds when empty.
With two electric motors and dynamic suspension, the Tesla Truck could be seen as a stronger, larger Model X with a flatbed and batter range (Musk teased a range of 400-500 miles). Considering these specs, however, what feats of strength can Tesla fans expect from the pickup truck? A lot of fun possible exhibitions, actually.
For one, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 boosters are actually incredibly light, with the most recent versions of the rocket weighing around ~70,000 pounds empty for both stages. Thus, with the Tesla Trucks’s maximum towing capacity of 300,000 pounds, the vehicle should be able to tow three or even four empty Falcon 9 rockets. Even an empty Falcon Heavy, which weighs around ~200,000 pounds with all the additional structural strengthening added, should be no problem for the Tesla Truck. The logistics of a Tesla Truck pulling an integrated Falcon Heavy rocket would be a feat in itself, however, considering the rocket’s immense size.
Apart from its crazy towing capacity, Elon Musk also stated that the Tesla pickup truck would have seating for six people. The layout of the Tesla Truck’s seats would be quite interesting, considering that the vehicle’s design is based on the Tesla Semi, which places its driver in the center. Musk also stated that the seats of the truck would be large enough to fit a person like iconic WWF (now WWE) wrestler Andre the Giant, who is 7’4″. Based on Musk’s tweets, the Tesla Truck would definitely be marketed as an all-around utility vehicle. It would have a 240-volt connection for heavy-duty tools, and even an air compressor to run other equipment. It would also have an iconic design, much like the classic Ford Bronco, which Musk says “rocks.”
Tesla is expected to start manufacturing the Tesla Truck sometime after the production rollout of the Model Y crossover SUV. With the Model Y expected to see a release either late 2018 or sometime next year, the Tesla Truck’s official unveiling would likely be scheduled for 2020 at the earliest.
Elon Musk
SpaceX issues statement on Starship V3 Booster 18 anomaly
The incident unfolded during gas-system pressure testing at the company’s Massey facility in Starbase, Texas.
SpaceX has issued an initial statement about Starship Booster 18’s anomaly early Friday. The incident unfolded during gas-system pressure testing at the company’s Massey facility in Starbase, Texas.
SpaceX’s initial comment
As per SpaceX in a post on its official account on social media platform X, Booster 18 was undergoing gas system pressure tests when the anomaly happened. Despite the nature of the incident, the company emphasized that no propellant was loaded, no engines were installed, and personnel were kept at a safe distance from the booster, resulting in zero injuries.
“Booster 18 suffered an anomaly during gas system pressure testing that we were conducting in advance of structural proof testing. No propellant was on the vehicle, and engines were not yet installed. The teams need time to investigate before we are confident of the cause. No one was injured as we maintain a safe distance for personnel during this type of testing. The site remains clear and we are working plans to safely reenter the site,” SpaceX wrote in its post on X.
Incident and aftermath
Livestream footage from LabPadre showed Booster 18’s lower half crumpling around the liquid oxygen tank area at approximately 4:04 a.m. CT. Subsequent images posted by on-site observers revealed extensive deformation across the booster’s lower structure. Needless to say, spaceflight observers have noted that Booster 18 would likely be a complete loss due to its anomaly.
Booster 18 had rolled out only a day earlier and was one of the first vehicles in the Starship V3 program. The V3 series incorporates structural reinforcements and reliability upgrades intended to prepare Starship for rapid-reuse testing and eventual tower-catch operations. Elon Musk has been optimistic about Starship V3, previously noting on X that the spacecraft might be able to complete initial missions to Mars.
Investor's Corner
Tesla analyst maintains $500 PT, says FSD drives better than humans now
The team also met with Tesla leaders for more than an hour to discuss autonomy, chip development, and upcoming deployment plans.
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) received fresh support from Piper Sandler this week after analysts toured the Fremont Factory and tested the company’s latest Full Self-Driving software. The firm reaffirmed its $500 price target, stating that FSD V14 delivered a notably smooth robotaxi demonstration and may already perform at levels comparable to, if not better than, average human drivers.
The team also met with Tesla leaders for more than an hour to discuss autonomy, chip development, and upcoming deployment plans.
Analysts highlight autonomy progress
During more than 75 minutes of focused discussions, analysts reportedly focused on FSD v14’s updates. Piper Sandler’s team pointed to meaningful strides in perception, object handling, and overall ride smoothness during the robotaxi demo.
The visit also included discussions on updates to Tesla’s in-house chip initiatives, its Optimus program, and the growth of the company’s battery storage business. Analysts noted that Tesla continues refining cost structures and capital expenditure expectations, which are key elements in future margin recovery, as noted in a Yahoo Finance report.
Analyst Alexander Potter noted that “we think FSD is a truly impressive product that is (probably) already better at driving than the average American.” This conclusion was strengthened by what he described as a “flawless robotaxi ride to the hotel.”
Street targets diverge on TSLA
While Piper Sandler stands by its $500 target, it is not the highest estimate on the Street. Wedbush, for one, has a $600 per share price target for TSLA stock.
Other institutions have also weighed in on TSLA stock as of late. HSBC reiterated a Reduce rating with a $131 target, citing a gap between earnings fundamentals and the company’s market value. By contrast, TD Cowen maintained a Buy rating and a $509 target, pointing to strong autonomous driving demonstrations in Austin and the pace of software-driven improvements.
Stifel analysts also lifted their price target for Tesla to $508 per share over the company’s ongoing robotaxi and FSD programs.
Elon Musk
SpaceX Starship Version 3 booster crumples in early testing
Photos of the incident’s aftermath suggest that Booster 18 will likely be retired.
SpaceX’s new Starship first-stage booster, Booster 18, suffered major damage early Friday during its first round of testing in Starbase, Texas, just one day after rolling out of the factory.
Based on videos of the incident, the lower section of the rocket booster appeared to crumple during a pressurization test. Photos of the incident’s aftermath suggest that Booster 18 will likely be retired.
Booster test failure
SpaceX began structural and propellant-system verification tests on Booster 18 Thursday night at the Massey’s Test Site, only a few miles from Starbase’s production facilities, as noted in an Ars Technica report. At 4:04 a.m. CT on Friday, a livestream from LabPadre Space captured the booster’s lower half experiencing a sudden destructive event around its liquid oxygen tank section. Post-incident images, shared on X by @StarshipGazer, showed notable deformation in the booster’s lower structure.
Neither SpaceX nor Elon Musk had commented as of Friday morning, but the vehicle’s condition suggests it is likely a complete loss. This is quite unfortunate, as Booster 18 is already part of the Starship V3 program, which includes design fixes and upgrades intended to improve reliability. While SpaceX maintains a rather rapid Starship production line in Starbase, Booster 18 was generally expected to validate the improvements implemented in the V3 program.
Tight deadlines
SpaceX needs Starship boosters and upper stages to begin demonstrating rapid reuse, tower catches, and early operational Starlink missions over the next two years. More critically, NASA’s Artemis program depends on an on-orbit refueling test in the second half of 2026, a requirement for the vehicle’s expected crewed lunar landing around 2028.
While SpaceX is known for diagnosing failures quickly and returning to testing at unmatched speed, losing the newest-generation booster at the very start of its campaign highlights the immense challenge involved in scaling Starship into a reliable, high-cadence launch system. SpaceX, however, is known for getting things done quickly, so it would not be a surprise if the company manages to figure out what happened to Booster 18 in the near future.
SpaceX issues statement on Starship V3 Booster 18 anomaly
Tesla analyst maintains $500 PT, says FSD drives better than humans now
