[dinkblam]

great article but the 44 tonne limit is not "physics", it is regulation. if an electric truck would be allowed to weigh 5 tonnes more all these calculations would be different.

[sokoloff]

The regulation is at least partially informed by physics though.

Braking distances, road damage (scales with the fourth power of axle weight), bridge limits, etc.

If the limit could safely and appropriately be 49 tons for diesel trucks right now, it probably would be.