The first Tesla Semi trucks were handed over to customers on Thursday during a ceremony at the company’s Gigafactory in Sparks, Nevada, five years after their initial unveiling.
The trucks’ 2019 production launch was postponed for several reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic and a global components scarcity. The trucks were first revealed in concept form back in 2017. PepsiCo representatives were present to accept the initial shipment of trucks; the company had reserved 100 Semis shortly after its announcement.
According to Tesla, the Semi has a battery range of up to 500 miles, four independent motors on the rear axles, and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 20 seconds.
Tesla Semi Trucks Can Be Expensive
Prices may start at $150,000, and there have been many low-dozen orders from companies like Walmart and FedEx. Musk discussed the need to lessen the number of carbon emissions generated by the transportation of commodities around the world while seated on a stage surrounded by four Tesla Semis, two of which were coated in Pepsi and Frito Lay logos. But after giving the cause of battling climate change lip service, he rapidly shifted to his style of showmanship.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, exclaimed on stage during the occasion, “It looks sick. “You should operate that. That gadget, in particular, appears to be futuristic. Later, Musk called the Semi “a beast.” Musk listed a variety of characteristics he claimed will make the Semi the most effective, appealing, and maneuverable truck on the road. The truck will have a revolutionary 1,000-volt engine design that, according to Musk, will be taken into account during the development of future Tesla products. The Semi boasts an automatic clutch for smooth interstate driving, regenerative braking to boost battery economy, and traction control to prevent jackknifing.
