We are all familiar with electric cars, to the point where people don’t joke about them anymore. We are becoming familiar with driverless cars, cars with “smart” braking technology and self-parking. Now, Tesla is looking to shake up the logistics world by creating a fleet of trucks that are electric and, he promises, the future of trucking.
Tesla is working on delivering a battery-powered big truck with a 500 mile range that promises less maintenance and energy costs than the current diesel model. Orders are already rolling in, first from a grocery chain in Detroit, with more sales promised, and also from transport services like J.B. Hunt.
Of course, in order for Tesla to truly change the logistics world, he must also manufacture the way that a company like Apple can in order for it to work. But if it does work, it means serious disruption for the oil industry, since trucks are responsible for about 60% of the increase in global diesel demand. Road freight eats up about a fifth of the world’s oil consumption. Freight is expected to eat up even more of a share of oil in the future.
What this attempt proves to all manufacturers is that disruption can happen at any point in the production process and can have sudden and unexpected effects on other industries as well. For instance, if Tesla’s big idea proves true, the costs the trucking industry is currently experiencing would be nothing short of revolutionized. Businesses that currently experience issues with freight because of costs will also reap the benefit. It is possible that other industries that rely heavily on fossil fuels will see their costs go down, since there will be more supply.
Komax provides similarly disruptive technologies, such as the simplicity of our in-line static mixers; with no moving parts, they ensure clean, consistent and thorough mixing in a wide variety of applications. Why not see how we can help you with your next Big Idea?