The all-electric Tesla Semi has the potential to shake up the heavy transportation industry and it appears at least one Chinese manufacturer has been paying very close attention to it. In fact, it seems to have developed a near-clone of the Semi that could reach the production line.
It is understood that these photos of the
truck were snapped at a facility owned by JAC Motors which builds a series of
passenger cars and operates a joint venture with VW. The similarities between
this prototype and the Tesla Semi are clear as day and start with the overall
shape of the cab. The dimensions look very similar and like the Semi, there is
a large windshield that appears to flow seamlessly across the A-pillars to the
two side windows on either side. The camouflage makes these pillars more
obvious but were they finished in black like on the Semi, they’d be much harder
to see.
Next, you will notice that the headlights
of this prototype are positioned in almost exactly the same spot as they are on
the Tesla, just ahead of the front wheel arches. The overall angle of the front
end is also much the same as the Semi. One difference you may notice is that
this JAC prototype appears to have either a window or perhaps a solar panel
just above the windshield, something the electric Semi lacks. A set of digital
wing mirrors also catch the eye and while the road-going Semi has traditional
mirrors, the original concept did have digital mirrors too.
Then there’s the cabin. While only a
single image of the interior has been shared by Inside EVs, it reveals that
this JAC prototype has a centrally-mounted seat. You guessed it, the Semi has
one too. It also appears as though the cabin then has two large screens on
either side of the steering wheel, just like the Tesla.
