Tern Trucks Revs Up: New 6x2 Electric Semi Challenges Tesla with Bigger Hauls!

TL;DR: Toyota Hino-backed Tern Trucks just dropped its second electric semi, the RC8 6x2 80k tractor, boasting an impressive 80,000 lb. GVWR and competitive efficiency. This move intensifies the electric heavy trucking race, bringing serious competition to Tesla's Semi.

Meta: Tern Trucks, backed by Toyota Hino, expands its electric semi lineup with a new 80,000 lb. GVWR model, directly challenging Tesla Semi.

Alright, buckle up, because the electric semi-truck war just got a whole lot more interesting! You know Toyota, right? The folks who’ve been, shall we say, a little hesitant about going all-in on EVs? Well, their Hino Trucks brand, alongside Hexagon Purus, is backing a new player called Tern Trucks, and they just rolled out their second electric semi. This isn't just another truck; it's the new Tern RC8 6x2 80k tractor, and it's coming for the heavy haul. This thing's designed for serious work, bringing a hefty 80,000 lb. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) to the table. Suddenly, the competition for Tesla's Semi is heating up faster than a fresh cup of coffee on a cold morning.

Tern's whole game is electrifying "practical" commercial vehicle applications, like day cabs and yard tractors. Their first RC8 4x2 truck already had a respectable 68,000 lb. GVWR, but this new 6x2 variant is stepping into big-rig territory with some big efficiency numbers to back it up. The company is bragging about fleet-wide energy consumption averaging an impressive 1.79 kWh/mile in real-world mixed duty cycles. They even developed a "proprietary adaptive accelerator map" that turns even the most lead-footed drivers into efficiency experts. That means consistent energy consumption, which is music to any fleet manager's ears, giving them better predictability and control over energy costs.

Battling for Efficiency and Availability

How does that 1.79 kWh/mile stack up? Well, Tesla had previously claimed 1.7 kWh/mile for its Semi, and even hit 1.55 kWh/mile during a three-week test with Costco. So, Tern is right there in the mix, proving that their electric powerhouse is no slouch. But here's where Tern might have an immediate advantage: the RC8 electric semi is available at over 200 Hino dealers across North America. Tesla, on the other hand, is still pushing back series production dates for its Semi. Sometimes, actually having the product on the lot beats out future promises, you know what I'm saying?

This new Tern RC8 6x2 gets its juice from dual Hexagon Purus Gen3 269 kWh battery packs, forming a 750-volt, 538 kWh "dual battery" configuration. That powers a beastly 680 peak horsepower electric motor (494 continuous), giving it a solid 260-mile range under load. When it's time to refuel (or recharge, rather), it can go from 0-80% charge in less than two hours on a 240 kW connection. This newest addition is perfect for heavier-duty applications like higher GCW LTL (less than truckload), drayage, and regional delivery routes. It's built for the grind, not just the glamor.

Toyota's Electric Tango

Now, here's the kicker: it's no surprise that a Toyota brand is leveraging Toyota's existing dealer network. But it is worth noting that while Toyota has been marketing and lobbying against EVs with one hand, they've been quietly investing big bucks into battery-electric vehicles with the other. It's like they're doing a two-step: one step forward into the past, and two steps forward into the future. My prediction? As soon as Toyota has a truly viable, widespread BEV on the consumer market, they'll suddenly have an epiphany and realize BEVs were the way to go all along. It's a classic "I told you so" waiting to happen, but hey, if it gets more electric trucks on the road, I'm all for it.

What's Next

The entry of Tern Trucks, with the backing of a major player like Toyota/Hino and robust dealer support, signifies a maturing electric heavy trucking market. Expect to see increased competition, further innovation in battery technology, and expanding charging infrastructure specifically designed for commercial fleets. The race for zero-emission freight is well underway, and companies like Tern are proving that practical, powerful electric alternatives are not only possible but ready for work today. This is good news for the environment, for fleet operators looking to cut costs, and for anyone who breathes the air near major transportation routes.

So, if you thought electric trucks were still a distant dream, think again. They're here, they're working, and they're ready to haul. Ain't no stopping them now, baby! Uh huh.

Tern RC8 electric semi truck. (image:1)

Tern RC8 electric drayage truck. (image:2)