Future of Electric Semi-Truck

Electric semi-trucks are the next big target in the market. Manufacturers and industries are sure about investing billions of dollars in making EVs, as they are firm in their belief that EVs will soon rule the market.
This blog is all about what the future holds for electric semi-trucks.
But first, let’s understand what an electric semi-truck is.
What is an electric semi-truck?
An electric semi-truck is any semi that functions on batteries. These are lithium-ion-cobalt or ion phosphate batteries. There is indeed a huge difference between a diesel rig and an electric semi-truck, but driving is more or less the same. The manufacturing industries claim that these trucks will be less expensive to maintain than traditional diesel trucks over the life of the vehicle, as well as being quieter than the standard diesel rig.
Updates on the electric semi-truck
Even though many manufacturers are investing money in electric semi-trucks, the trucking sector has not yet been completely replaced by them. That does not imply that electric trucks currently only exist in theory. For their fleets, large carriers have already purchased electric semis, and they are currently using them. Recently, Freightliner revealed that the aggregate mileage of its electric eCascadia vehicles has reached one million kilometers.
Why are electric vehicles being manufactured?
With the increase in environmental pollution and its detrimental impact on the earth, it has encouraged mega industries to go eco-friendly.
Now manufacturing industries are changing the market and have started manufacturing electric and sustainable trucks.
Who are the big players in the EV market?
Tesla
Tesla first announced their electric semi-truck in 2017.Tesla used to call it simply "Semi," but these trucks are yet to hit the road.
The trucks are currently scheduled to begin manufacturing in 2023. Despite the delayed deadlines, businesses have continued to place orders; in 2021, Walmart Canada ordered 130 trucks. Tesla claims that there will be two types of the Semi, one with a 500-mile range and the other with a 300-mile range.
Freightliner
There are two main electric trucks by Freightliner, one is called eCascadia and the other one is called eM2.
eCascadia is a standard rig, which is suitable and good for carrying a 53’ trailer. However, eM2 is an electric take on Freightliner’s classic box truck. The eCascadia and eM2 can both travel up to 230 miles before their batteries run out.

Volvo
Volvo’s semi-truck is called the VNR. This truck is almost like Freightliner’s eCascadia but has the signature sleek look of Volvo.
As per the Volvo, the VNR can travel 275 miles on a single charge, which apparently outperforms Freightliner’s electric trucks a little. Volvo recently got the largest order of electric trucks and is aiming to manufacture half of the electric trucks to sell on the market by the year 2030.

Nikola Motors
Nikola is a startup that was founded in 2014. Nikola has been claiming that their semi-truck, the "Tre," can travel up to 350 miles on a single charge.

Will electric semi-trucks overtake diesel trucks?
No, not for a while, most likely. It's possible that electric semi-trucks will eventually take over the market in the same way that electric vehicles are gradually dominating it. Even if they become more and more popular, it will take some years before they’ll replace older diesel trucks as the prices of electric trucks are high, there is a limited supply, and there are OTR restrictions.
Currently, only last-mile and short-haul deliveries, not regional or OTR journeys, should be made with electric semis. This is mostly due to the lack of a national infrastructure of charging stations for electric semi-trucks.
Even if a carrier does pay for an electric truck, you will still incur expenses in addition to the truck. To make sure the vehicles function properly, a whole infrastructure, including electric grids and charging stations, must be put in place. Although manufacturers claim that electric semis will be less expensive in the long run, the upfront expenses are simply too high for the majority of fleets to consider investing in a new technology. Electric semis won't surpass diesel until these problems are in the past.