The Boring Company Uses Tesla Model 3 Sleds to Shuttle Shipping Containers Through Its Tunnels
The remote-piloted Liner Truck, built on a Model 3 powertrain, navigates tunnels with only about an inch of clearance on either side.
The Boring Company (TBC) has demonstrated a new application for its remote-piloted freight vehicles, using a modified Tesla Model 3 chassis to transport standard shipping containers through its tunnel infrastructure. The vehicle, known as the Liner Truck, utilizes the electric sedan's battery pack and powertrain to move heavy loads in confined underground spaces.
What Happened
TBC shared footage on social media platform X showing the Liner Truck pulling a shipping container through a tunnel. The clearance is extremely tight, with approximately one inch of space remaining between the container's top corners and the tunnel walls. This minimal margin of error presents operational challenges, as even minor irregularities in the pavement could cause the freight to scrape against the tunnel structure. The vehicle operates under TBC's "Zero-People-In-Tunnel" philosophy, meaning it is remotely piloted rather than driven by a human onboard.
The Liner Truck is designed for heavy hauling rather than speed or long-distance range. According to TBC, the vehicle can tow 22,000 pounds, a capacity comparable to a Ford F-250 Super Duty with a Power Stroke V8 engine. This towing capability is essential for transporting preformed concrete tunnel segments to boring machines. However, the vehicle's performance is limited by its Model 3 origins; when carrying maximum weight, it travels at a top speed of 12 mph and has a range of 28 miles.
Why It Matters
The deployment of these freight sleds highlights the logistical requirements of The Boring Company's expanding tunnel projects. Following a $3 billion funding round in September that valued the company at $23 billion, TBC plans to dig 150 kilometers (93 miles) of tunnels in the United Arab Emirates and has begun excavating another 10 miles in Nashville, Tennessee. Each boring machine requires a steady supply of concrete liners, necessitating an increased fleet of Liner Trucks to maintain construction pace. Currently, TBC's only functional tunnels are located in Las Vegas.
The Bottom Line
The Boring Company is repurposing Tesla Model 3 components into specialized, remote-controlled freight vehicles capable of hauling 22,000 pounds through narrow tunnels with minimal clearance. As the company expands its tunneling operations in the UAE and Nashville, these low-speed, high-capacity sleds serve as a critical logistical tool for moving construction materials underground.
