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Tesla Model X Breaks Electric Towing Record By Pulling Boeing 787 (inverse.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the showing-off dept.

A Tesla Model X has set the world record for heaviest tow by electric production passenger vehicle when it pulled a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at the Melbourne Airport in Australia. The video can be viewed on YouTube. Inverse reports: As probably expected, the plane far exceeds the Model X's recommended tow limit of around 5,000 pounds. In fact, the weight of the unloaded 787 with a minimal amount of fuel came closer to around 300,000 pounds. The airline pulled the Dreamliner around 1,000 feet down the tarmac. The stunt was part of a wider campaign around Qantas' new work with Tesla, which involves offering high-powered chargers at its Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide facilities as well as offsetting miles for Tesla drivers that are also frequent flyer members.

5 of 235 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Didn't he just send a Tesla to Mars by The+Cynical+Critic · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Tried of his publicity stunts? You do know that's the only thing he's really good at? Asking Musk to cut it out with the publicity stunts is like asking Trump to cut it out with the twitter tirades.

    --
    "Why should I want to make anything up? Life's bad enough as it is without wanting to invent any more of it."
  2. So can my lawn tractor by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    My lawn tractor can tow a 787 on flat, level ground as well. F=ma. Doesn't matter what m is, if you have a net force, you have acceleration. It doesn't take much force to overcome wheel bearing friction in landing gear.

  3. Re: Didn't he just send a Tesla to Mars by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

    The jealousy is strong in this one.

  4. People Pulling Train Car by sycodon · · Score: 5, Insightful

    On a flat section of track, your average NFL lineman could pull a train car.

    It' not about the weight,. It's about the Friction Force.

    --
    When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
    1. Re:People Pulling Train Car by jellomizer · · Score: 4, Insightful

      We see this type of stunt all the time. Often with Pickup Truck commercials. But this plays to Tesla's marketing strategy, of Showing their all electric cars to be just as powerful if not more so, then the best gasoline cars in their classification.

      Which is opposed to other electric car makers who show off these cars as just Electric, but nothing really exciting about them, and rather lack luster in comparison of other cars in their class.

      The stunt of pulling a 747 or a freight train... When using a flat surface and properly conditioned low friction wheels. Just needs enough energy to get past the static friction, then energy to account to the existing friction. Now if the Testla would be able to accelerate the plane from 0 to 15mph in 10 seconds that would be impressive.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.