Connect with us

News

Tesla pickup truck’s 300k-lb towing capacity is crazy but feasible

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

Advertisement
Comments

News

Tesla Cybercab display highlights interior wizardry in the small two-seater

Photos and videos of the production Cybercab were shared in posts on social media platform X.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla Robotaxi/X

The Tesla Cybercab is currently on display at the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C., and observations of the production vehicle are highlighting some of its notable design details. 

Photos and videos of the production Cybercab were shared in posts on social media platform X.

Observers of the Cybercab display unit noted that the two-seat Robotaxi provides unusually generous legroom for a vehicle of its size. Based on the vehicle’s video, the compact two-seater appears to offer more legroom than Tesla’s larger vehicles such as the Model Y, Model X, and Cybertruck.

The Cybercab’s layout allows Tesla to dedicate nearly the entire cabin to passengers. The vehicle is designed without a steering wheel or pedals, which helps maximize interior space.

Advertisement

Footage from the display also highlights the Cybercab’s large center screen, which is positioned prominently in front of the passenger bench. The display appears intended to provide entertainment and ride information while the vehicle operates autonomously.

Images of the vehicle also show an additional camera integrated into the Cybercab’s C-pillar. The extra camera appears to expand the vehicle’s field of view, which would be useful as Tesla works toward fully unsupervised Full Self-Driving.

Tesla engineers have previously explained that the Cybercab was designed to be highly efficient both in manufacturing and in operation. Cybercab Lead Engineer Eric E. stated in 2024 that the Robotaxi would be built with roughly half the number of parts used in a Model 3 sedan.

“Two seats unlocks a lot of opportunity aerodynamically. It also means we cut the part count of Cybercab down by a substantial margin. We’re gonna be delivering a car that has roughly half the parts of Model 3 today,” the Tesla engineer said.

Advertisement

The Tesla engineer also noted that the Cybercab’s cargo area can accommodate multiple golf bags, two carry-on suitcases, and two full-size checked bags. The trunk can also fit certain bicycles and a foldable wheelchair depending on size, which is quite impressive for a small car like the Cybercab.

Continue Reading

Elon Musk

Elon Musk’s xAI wins permit for power plant supporting AI data centers

The development was reported by CNBC, citing confirmation from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).

Published

on

Mississippi regulators have approved a permit allowing Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI to construct a natural gas power plant in Southaven. The facility is expected to support the company’s expanding AI infrastructure tied to its Colossus data center operations near Memphis.

The development was reported by CNBC, citing confirmation from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).

According to the report, regulators “voted to approve the permit” of xAI subsidiary MZX Tech LLC to construct a power plant featuring 41 natural gas-burning turbines “after careful consideration of all public comments and community concerns.”

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality stated that the permit followed a regulatory review process that included public comments and community input. Jaricus Whitlock, air division chief for the MDEQ, stated that the project met all applicable environmental standards.

Advertisement

“The proposed PSD permit in front of the board today not only meets all state and federal permitting regulations, but goes above and beyond what is required by law. MDEQ and the EPA agree that not a single person around our facilities will be exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution,” Whitlock stated.

The planned facility will help provide electricity for xAI’s AI computing infrastructure in the Memphis region.

The Southaven project forms part of xAI’s efforts to scale computing capacity for its artificial intelligence systems.

The company currently operates two major data centers in Memphis, known as Colossus 1 and Colossus 2, which provide computing power for xAI’s Grok AI models. xAI is also planning to build another large data center in Southaven called Macrohardrr, which would be located in a warehouse previously used by GXO Logistics.

Advertisement

Large-scale AI training requires substantial computing power and electricity, prompting technology companies to develop dedicated energy infrastructure for their data centers.

SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell previously stated that xAI plans to develop 1.2 gigawatts of power capacity for its Memphis-area AI supercomputer site as part of the federal government’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge. The commitment was announced during an event with United States President Donald Trump.

“As part of today’s commitment, we will take extensive additional steps to continue to reduce the costs of electricity for our neighbors. xAI will therefore commit to develop 1.2 GW of power as our supercomputer’s primary power source. That will be for every additional data center as well. We will expand what is already the largest global Megapack power installation in the world,” Shotwell said.

“The installation will provide enough backup power to power the city of Memphis, and more than sufficient energy to power the town of Southaven, Mississippi where the data center resides. We will build new substations and invest in electrical infrastructure to provide stability to the area’s grid.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Elon Musk

Tesla China teases Optimus robot’s human-looking next-gen hands

The image was shared by Tesla AI’s account on Weibo and later reposted by Tesla community members on X.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla China

A new teaser shared by Tesla’s China team appears to show a pair of unusually human-like hands for Optimus. 

The image was shared by Tesla AI’s account on Weibo and later reposted by Tesla community members on X.

As could be seen in the teaser image, the new version of Optimus’ hands features proportions and finger structures that look strikingly similar to those of a human hand. Their appearance suggests that they might have dexterity approaching that of a human hand.

If the image reflects a new generation of Optimus’ hands, it could indicate Tesla is continuing to refine one of the most critical components of its humanoid robot.

Advertisement

Hands are widely viewed as one of the most difficult engineering challenges in robotics. For Optimus to perform complex real-world work, from manufacturing tasks to household activities, its hands would need to be the best in the industry.

Elon Musk has repeatedly described Optimus as Tesla’s most important long-term product. In posts on social media platform X, Musk has stated that Optimus could eventually become the first real-world Von Neumann machine.

In theory, a Von Neumann machine is a self-replicating system capable of building copies of itself using available materials. The concept was originally proposed by mathematician John von Neumann in the mid-20th century.

“Optimus will be the first Von Neumann machine, capable of building civilization by itself on any viable planet,” Musk wrote in a post on X.

Advertisement

If Optimus is expected to carry out complex work autonomously in the future, high levels of dexterity will likely be essential. This makes the development of advanced robotic hands a key step towards Musk’s long-term expectations for the product.

Continue Reading