Pepsi, the first customer to use Tesla Semi, has commented on the deployment of the electric truck in its fleet and made some strange remarks about its range.
Now the company is commenting on the integration of the electric truck in its fleet for the first time in a Reuters article based on an interview with PepsiCo Vice President Mike O’Connell, but the article glosses over some very strange comments about the Tesla Semi’s range.
O’Connell confirmed that PepsiCo is currently deploying 36 Tesla Semis: 15 in Modesto and 21 in Sacramento. The company expects to take delivery of the 100 Tesla Semi trucks it ordered by the end of 2023.
Where things got strange is when O’Connell, according to the article, talked about the range of the Tesla Semi:
PepsiCo’s new Semis can haul Frito-Lay food products for around 425 miles (684 km), but for heavier loads of sodas, the trucks will do shorter trips of around 100 miles (160 km), O’Connell said.
O’Connell reportedly stated that the company’s Tesla Semi trucks still have 20% charge after carrying loads of chips over 425 miles.
But it’s unclear why the trucks only do 100-mile trips with loads of sodas.
Tesla has clearly stated that the Tesla Semi can achieve a range of over 500 miles with a full load at 82,000 lbs.
We reported that, unfortunately, Tesla hasn’t released the weight of the truck, and therefore, we don’t know the actual load capacity of the Tesla Semi, but we know that it can travel 500 miles at full capacity.
It’s true that a trailer filled with chips is going to be lighter than a trailer filled with sodas, but at the end of the day, they are both limited to 82,000 lbs in an electric truck as per regulations. Therefore, Tesla Semi should be able to travel 500 miles with a trailer of sodas at capacity.
I estimate the weight of the Tesla Semi to be about 27,000 lbs, which is certainly higher than most diesel semi trucks and would result in a lower load capacity.
But based on the information Tesla released, the truck can still travel 500 miles at 82,000 lbs total weight (truck, trailer, and load) regardless of the actual load capacity. That’s why it’s so strange that PepsiCo says it is limiting trips with sodas to 100 miles.
I don’t know if it’s based on a lack of knowledge or if there was some sort of miscommunication in the interview.
What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.
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Save space and gain utility in your commute with Aventon’s Sinch 2 folding e-bike while at its $1,399 low
As part of its ongoing Labor Day Sale running through September 3, Aventon is still offering folks the chance to hop aboard its Sinch 2 Folding e-bike at $1,399 shipped. Missing out on this deal means you’ll likely be paying $1,699 when it reverts to its full price, which we’ve mostly seen dropping to $1,499 over the last year, though its been more regularly falling back to the $1,399 low since the launch of its upgraded Sinch 2.5 descendant. You’re looking at a $300 markdown while the sale lasts, giving you another opportunity to score the brand’s most popular space-saving model at the best tracked price.
As the name implies, Aventon’s Sinch 2 e-bike is the brand’s second-generation evolution of its space-saving folding legacy commuter, which is a handy convenience for folks that have limited storage space. It’s been given a 500W rear hub motor (that peaks at 1,056Wh) paired with a 672Wh battery to provide you with up to 55 miles of pedal-assisted travel (four levels supported by a torque sensor) at up to 20 MPH top speeds.
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There’s added utility alongside commuting needs with its stock features, which include a rear cargo rack for grocery and errand running, as well as the integrated front and rear lighting that sport turn signal functionality, an 8-speed derailleur, fenders to go over both 20 by 4-inch tires, an LCD smart “easy read” display, and more.
Bring home Autel’s MaxiCharger 40A level 2 EV charging station that comes with an RFID security card for $399
Through its official Amazon storefront, Autel is offering its MaxiCharger 40A Level 2 EV Charger at $399 shipped in black or white colorways. This at-home charging station usually fetches $470 at full price, though we’ve regularly been seeing it drop to $399 for Prime members, with today’s deal opening up to non-members, as well. While we have seen it fall to $373 (back during October’s Prime Day event) and the one-time $352 low during Memorial Day sales, you’re still looking at a solid $71 markdown that lands it at the third-lowest overall price we have tracked and the second-best price of 2025.
Make up to 300 cuts with EGO’s 56V 18-inch cordless chainsaw and a 5.0Ah battery at a new $249 low
Amazon is now offering its best rate yet on the EGO Power+ 56V 18-inch Cordless Chainsaw with 5.0Ah battery at $249 shipped. This cordless tool usually fetches $399 outside of discounts, which we’ve seen go as low as $300, though that rate hasn’t reappeared since first popping up in the October 2024 Prime Day event. In 2025 things have only dropped between $349 and $329 regularly and as low as $320 during July’s Prime Day event, with the deal we’re seeing here today coming in as a larger-than-ever 38% markdown that slashes $150 off the going rate for the lowest price we have tracked.
Keep up to five devices running with UGREEN’s Nexode 48,000mAh 300W power bank at $102 + more
By way of its official Amazon storefront, UGREEN is offering its Nexode 48,000mAh Portable Charger/Power Bank Station at $101.99 shipped. You’d normally have to pay $170 for this larger charging solution at full price, though Prime members have been getting the opportunity to grab it at $120 and $113 rates over the last few months, alongside occasional dips lower to $107 and $102 – the latter of which is what we saw it priced at for July’s Prime Day event. You’re looking at a 40% markdown here, which cuts $68 off the going rate for the second-best price we have tracked – just $2 above the one-time low we saw at the end of March.
Through the rest of the day you can score Fremo’s 6.2-pound TP300 power station at a new $150 low
As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Fremo TP300 Portable Power Station at $149.99 shipped. This unit normally goes for $270 at full price, which is similar to what you’d be paying for Bluetti’s latest Elite 30 V2 power station that currently goes for $299 for non-Prime members. Over the year, we’ve seen discounts take the costs down as low as $160, primarily in these one-day-only Best Buy sales. You’re looking at a larger-than-ever 44% markdown for the rest of the day, giving you $120 in savings on a compact backup power solution as it lands at a new all-time low price.
Navee GT3 Max Smart Electric Scooter (code SCHOOL15): $561 (Reg. $750)
Best new Green Deals landing this week
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.
Tesla’s sales have surged to unprecedented levels in Turkey, where the American automaker delivered nearly as many vehicles last month as it did across the entire European market.
It occurred because Tesla managed to take advantage of a loophole that has now been patched.
Turkey has a consumption tax rate (ÖTV) that varies depending on the type of car.
Earlier this year, they reduced the tax rate to 10% for EVs with a power output of less than 160 kW.
The American automaker software-locked the base Model Y RWD to just 160 kW of power to qualify for the lower tax rate. This significantly reduced the price and resulted in a surge of orders.
Tesla delivered 8,730 Model Y vehicles in Turkey in August, which was roughly equivalent to the total it delivered in a whole previous year in the country and comparable to about Tesla’s entire sales in Europe last month, following an approximately 40% decrease in sales.
Year-to-date, Tesla’s sales have now surpassed both previous full years combined:
However, Turkey has now patched the loophole. In July, the government announced that it would raise the base tax rate to 25% by the end of the month, but buyers could still take advantage of the tax rate if they had an invoice before then.
This resulted in a surge in demand for Tesla vehicles in Turkey, as evident in the August delivery results.
The demand was pulled forward, and Tesla is likely going to see sales slow down for the rest of the year.
That said, Tesla should still see demand settle higher than in previous years, as the OTV previously was as high as 60%.
Electrek’s Take
There has always been a strong demand for Tesla and electric vehicles in Turkey.
Back before Tesla officially entered the market, local EV enthusiasts were privately importing Tesla vehicles.
In the picture above, local early Tesla adopters in Turkey were begging the automaker to establish local service and Superchargers to support the community.
I believe there’s strong demand for Tesla vehicles in Turkey, but this specific surge is due to Tesla finding a loophole in the tax incentive, and the loophole has now been patched.
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The Kia vehicles we see on the road today are a drastic upgrade from its older models. After a major rebrand, including a new logo, name, and a bunch of sleek EVs, Kia is winning over buyers.
Kia revamps the brand with new EVs, designs, and more
It’s no longer Kia Motors. Now, it’s just Kia. The South Korean automaker rebranded in 2021 with a new name, logo, and stylish new vehicle designs. However, the new “Kia” is much more than just an updated logo.
Kia is transitioning from just another traditional automaker to a full-on mobility company. The South Korean automaker introduced a series of new low-cost electric vehicles that are already winning over buyers in nearly every pocket of the globe.
After selling nearly 254,000 vehicles globally last month, Kia said the “robust sales” were driven by steady demand for new EVs and hybrids.
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After delivering the first models in late 2024, the Kia EV3 has quickly become a top-selling EV in several markets. In the first half of 2025, it was the most popular retail EV in the UK and ranked sixth in all of Europe.
Kia EV6 (right), EV3 (middle), and EV9 (right) Source: Kia
With the new EV4, EV5, and PV5 launching in new markets, Kia expects the run to gain momentum going into the end of the year.
Kia opened orders for the PV5, its first electric van, and EV4, its first EV sedan and hatchback, earlier this year. On Monday, it announced prices for the EV5, its Sportage-sized electric SUV, will start at £39,295 ($53,000) in the UK.
Kia EV4 models during safety testing in Europe (Source: Kia UK)
The Sportage is Kia’s global, European, and UK-wide best-selling vehicle, so many see the EV5 being what could be the brand’s biggest hit yet.
It’s already helped turn around Kia’s business in China. As it arrives in new markets, the EV5 is expected to be Kia’s top-selling EV in many of them, including Canada.
Kia EV5 (Source: Kia)
Kia is already coming off back-to-back annual sales records in Canada, but with new EVs launching, including the EV5, it expects to top it next year.
Although it has four new electric vehicles on deck, Elias El-Achhab, the vice president and chief operating officer of Kia Canada, said (via The Star), “the EV5 is the one we’re most excited about.” The compact SUV segment accounts for over one-third of all cars sold in Canada, making the EV5 a cornerstone of Kia’s growth plans.
Kia EV5 interior (Source: Kia UK)
The electric SUV will be exclusively sold in Canada in the North American market, not the US. Since it’s imported from Korea, Kia would take a significant hit from Trump’s auto tariffs if it were to sell it in the US.
In Canada, Kia expects it “to be our largest volume EV next year, and eventually our number one volume vehicle,” El-Achhab said.
Although prices have yet to be revealed, El-Achhab promises the EV5 will be “priced comparably to many of its combustion-engine equivalents but will be better equipped.”
When asked about rising car costs due to the tariffs, El-Achhab explained that “the volatility isn’t good for anyone,” but Kia is flexible enough to adjust its production accordingly. Even if Kia gets a bigger piece of the sales pie, “the pie will shrink, debt levels will go up,” Kia Canada’s vice president added, “We’d prefer not having to face that situation.”
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