Quiz For The Day -- Truck Drivers Not Allowed To Take This Quiz -- December 14, 2017

Don pointed out a huge -- at least I consider it a huge -- error in this story, because:

• it makes a huge difference;
• Elon Musk always brags about it with regard to his trucks; and,
• any truck driver worth his salt would see the error

Can you spot the error in these two paragraphs below? From this article in Bloomberg Businessweek, "this electric truck will probably beat Tesla's to market." Here are the paragraphs; see if  you can spot the error:

As [Dakota] Semler drives the ET1 [his all-electric semi truck] around Hollywood, gawkers whip out their phones to take photos.

The heavy-duty semi, which has a 22-inch touchscreen on its dashboard and a winged black logo splashed across its grille, uses a beach-ball-size electric motor and a couple of large battery packs to carry as much as 80,000 pounds of cargo, the industry standard for the highest class of truck. When it starts shipping in 2019, the ET1 will have a $150,000 starting price tag and a 300-mile range, meaning it’ll compete with medium-duty delivery trucks. 

The error: no truck in the US is allowed to carry 80,000 pounds of cargo (exceptions, of course, with special permits for very, very rare and specific reasons). From wiki, the entire tractor, trailer, fuel, cargo, passengers, etc. cannot weight more than 80,000 pounds. Obviously the cargo is going to be around half that amount, maximum.

From wiki, the "highest class truck is a Class 8 or a Class 9, which is a special duty Class 8 truck. But in this case, both Dakota Semler and Elon Musk are talking about the 18-wheelers we see everyday on the highway, which are Class 8 trucks.  

See wiki:

The practical gross vehicle weight limit in the USA for Class 8 trucks is determined by per-axle weight limits set by the Federal Bridge Gross Weight Formula on interstate highways. Longer 18-wheelers can weigh up to 80,000 lbs. In most states, exceptions to these limits can be made for an Oversize load but they require special permits and handling on a designated route.

So, next time you hear anyone talking about a Class 8 truck hauling 80,000 pounds of cargo down the interstate, you now know more than the guy talking to you. But it explains why Elon Musk and others keep talking about "80,000 pounds of cargo." Because 80,000 pounds is the most allowed by the US -- but that's for the entire enchilada (the tractor; the fuel; the passenger(s); the trailer; and, the cargo.