Tesla Semi too wide for Aussie roads?

Tesla is campaigning for rule changes in Australia so its Semi electric prime-mover can be sold here.

Currently, local law dictates a road-going vehicle can be no more than 2.5 metres wide. But the Semi measures up at 2.59m wide.

The US EV maker has made a submission to the National Transport Commission calling for changes.

The NTC will deliver its verdict in May.

If nothing changes, the December 3 Tesla submission made clear what the result would be.

“Currently, Australia will likely miss out on the first generation of electric heavy vehicles such as the Tesla Semi because of this.

“Australia’s small size in comparison to global markets, [and] inconsistencies like this between Australian regulations and larger markets will delay or preclude vehicles coming to local markets.”

The Semi complies in in the USA where a width of 2.6m is allowed.

In its submission, Tesla also argued the Semi was important in Australia to help it decarbonise its transport system.

It highlighted the 2020 bushfires as proof such action was urgently needed in Australia.

While the Semi has been delayed several times, it is now expected to be built at Tesla’s new plant in Austin Texas and launch in late 2021.

The Semi will have a claimed 800km range. Notable American companies such as Walmart and Budweiser have already placed orders.