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Tesla Semi's Center-Seat Design Draws Reassessment From Industry Veteran

A longtime trucking industry observer who spent nearly three decades skeptical of the Tesla Semi's viability has revised his assessment after extended testing of the electric rig. The critic holds a Class A CDL with hazmat endorsement and previously questioned whether the vehicle's range claims would hold under real-world freight loads and whether its manufacturer understood driver ergonomics across a full workday. His primary concern centered on the center-seat positioning, which he viewed as impractical for backing 53-foot trailers into tight dock configurations. However, extended seat time changed his perspective. The centered seating position provides superior forward visibility compared to conventional layouts, eliminating guesswork about right-side clearance. Cameras and mirror systems handle side visibility rather than relying on traditional driver-side positioning.