Diesel performance has grown substantially in the last 10 years. Even OTR (Over The Road) trucks, or Semi-Trucks, are being modified to make more horsepower and torque that will inevitably increase fuel mileage for more savings. Even with that, it looks like changes may need to be made as Elon Musk introduces the new Tesla Semi.

The Tesla Semi is a state of the art Big-Rig that utilizes four independent motors on the rear axles and accelerates 0-60 mph in 5.00 seconds. Fortunately for electric motors, they have a ton of torque and acts almost as instant power. While the 0-60 mph time is quite impressive, what about loaded down?

Tesla is also claiming that their new truck is a safer alternative than the traditional Semi-Truck.

You would think that the diesel-powered trucks would at least compare to the new technology, but we thought wrong. With both trucks loaded down to the maximum legal gross vehicle weight (80,000 pounds) the Tesla, in a race to 60-mph, outruns the diesel truck by a staggering amount. With 40 tons on the truck, it accelerated 0-60 in 20-seconds.

Not only does the Tesla outperform the diesel, but it also has proven to perform better than the hydrogen-powered Semi-Truck from Nikola.

It seems as if the diesel engine manufacturers need to head to the drawing board and figure something out. The new Tesla base price is $150,000. What do you think these diesel engine companies should do in order to prove their the superior option? Let us know in the comments below.