I Stand Corrected -- EV Truck Weight May Not Be An Issue -- December 9, 2021

In an e-mail conversation with a reader about road taxes and truck weight, I suggested that there were reports earlier that EV cargo loads would have to be lower to account for heavier EV tractors due to the batteries.

Apparently that is being address. See this article. Most interesting is this:

Interestingly, the company reports a little known fact that electric trucks in the US and Europe have both been approved for slightly higher total load. From Tesla:

With both the U.S. and E.U. having approved higher weight allowances for electric heavy-duty trucks, we expect the payload to be at least as high as it would be for a diesel truck. In the E.U., electric semi trucks are allowed to be 2 tons (~4,400 pounds) heavier than diesel equivalents, and in the U.S. the allowance is 0.9 tons (2,000 pounds). 

When fully loaded, the Tesla Semi should be able to achieve over 500 miles of range, achieved through aerodynamics and highly efficient motors. This truck will be able to reach an efficiency of over 0.5 miles per kWh. 

While a 2,000-lb difference doesn’t sound like much leeway on an 80,000-lb limit, it’s going to give Tesla Semi just enough to compete with diesel trucks. 

My hunch is that federal and state governments were able to get this "passed" by compromising to agreeing to a higher tax rated on that increased weight. Maybe the rate increase will be linear; to be determined. See below: after posting this note about weight, a reader who is, seriously, an authority on this, corrected me:

Later, from an expert in the trucking industry.

Each state has a road use mileage tax compiled by the truck registering with IFTA – Interstate Fuel Tax Authority. 

Each state has different tax rates per mile traveled. The trucking company files quarterly reports on the miles traveled in each state. You can buy fuel in each state to pay as you go and make up the difference or receive credit from each state. Your base state does the audit to verify your mileage is correct. With electronic logs it is very easy and accurate to compute the tax. 

When drivers had paper logs it was much harder. The driver would record his odometer reading while crossing each state line and compute the tax. 

Tax has nothing to do with weight, it’s the same loaded or empty. Miles traveled are all that matters. 

Many trucks are loaded full and the freight is light so the total gross weight is much lower than the limit. Like moving Styrofoam cups. Other  freight is very heavy per cubic foot so the trailer may be ½ empty and still be close to max weight. 

Taxes have nothing to do with gross weight. Weight limits have to do with bridge load limits, brake function needed to stop the full weight unit in the distance required in the Code of Federal Regulation and other engineering limits like tires and frames.