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The Chinese company Geely is preparing a new tractor that is to be better than Tesla Semi in many ways
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The Farizon Auto Homtruck will be given a modular platform and will be able to use more types of alternative drives
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In the case of the purely electric variant, quick exchanges of discharged batteries for charged ones are expected
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Production should start in three years. Tesla, meanwhile, has postponed the start of production of the Semi tractor to 2022
In 2017, it introduced the American carmaker Tesla electric tractor Semi. Immediately there were several people who ordered the car, but the real production has not yet started. So far, the latest reports expect production to start in 2022 at the earliest, although PepsiCo should reportedly receive at least a few of these tractors later this year. In the meantime, several competitors have appeared. The latest one is called Farizon Auto Homtruck, comes from China and according to initial reports, it should be much better than Tesla Semi.
The American electric tractor relies on the traditional battery drive, where extremely fast charging stations are provided by extremely fast Megacharger charging stations. The first ones are currently being set up at Gigafactory in Nevada. However, the Homtruck tractor from the Chinese company Geely will offer a modular platform and will be ready for more alternative types of drive. In addition to the purely electric, it will be possible to reach for the hybrid variant burning methanol, and an electric generator extending the range should also be available.
Tesla Semi converted into a motorhome is an interesting vision, which you will wait for a long time
In the case of the battery version, the manufacturer relies on a simple battery replacement system. In practice, it will not be necessary to recharge the battery for a long time, but the discharged cells will be replaced with charged ones within a few minutes. Such a concept has been talked about for decades. For example, Nissan experimented with a similar car in the late 1940s. For normal use, however, this system would require significant unification across all automakers, which is not very realistic. However, in the operation of a certain fleet of such tractors, it might make sense. More technical details are not yet available.
A homtruck that will sell Geely under the Farizon Auto brand, also promises other modern systems. The standard equipment will be a system of radars and lidar, 5G connection and the ability to communicate with surrounding cars. The homtruck should use autonomous fourth-level steering, so it can drive completely without driver assistance.
Because the tractors will communicate with each other, it is also expected that these cars would form convoys on long routes. The Chinese tractor of the future also promises first-class comfort on board. Inside, in addition to the bed, there will even be a shower, toilet or a built-in small washing machine.
According to current plans, the Farizon Auto Homtruck should start production in 2024, and the first pieces of customers should also be delivered in the same year. We will see if this project will not follow Tesla Semi, which customers will see at the earliest five years after the premiere. Some sources even talk in connection with the American electric tractor until 2023.
