Tesla Semi Motivates Australia to Change And Update Its Regulations

A rather strange situation occurred in Australia, where the latest Tesla Semi model appears to be unlawful to the countries' regulations. The solution to solve this misunderstanding and make sure that Tesla customers can drive safely the desired model on Australian local roads, the automaker must also, involve itself in the process of helping change the countries regulations.

The first step was already made by publishing in December 2020 a document submitting its own comments during the regulatory review process by Australia's National Transport Commission. The document is Tesla's official argument in favor of changing local regulations to ensure their electric semi-truck could be driveable on Australian roads. 

According to current regulation laws, any vehicle wider than 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) cannot operate on local roads. Now, the Tesla Semi's width breaks the regulation by two inches only, and that's where the automaker wants to intervene and slightly change the regulations. 

According to the document, Tesla argues that "Australia will likely miss out on the first generation of electric heavy vehicles such as the Tesla Semi" because of the current regulations. As an example, they used the US laws which allow vehicles up to 8.5 feet in width, and the European ones who have an 8.4 feet limit. 

The fact that the Australian with limit is lesser might be changed and brought in line with the rest of the big markets around the world. These inconsistencies aren't a cheap inconvenience for the automaker and creating the Tesla Semi accordingly to the Australian regulations.

They already invested in studying the underscoring climate change and the local effects it has on Australia. They even propose to bring help into decarbonizing the transportation sector and create a spur in the sale of electric heavy-duty vehicles. NTC plans to make its final recommendation later in May, this year and we will see what the outcome will be.