Tesla begins delivering Semi electric trucks to customers — TechCrunch
Tesla has begun delivering its first Semi electric trucks to customers after nearly ten years of refinements and delays. The model was presented in Reno, Nevada, United States. The Semi was first unveiled in 2017, and production was initially planned to begin in 2019. This was reported by TechCrunch.
The event was held at Tesla's new Semi production plant located next to the company's first Gigafactory in Reno. Tesla said it plans to produce up to 50,000 trucks there annually, or about 1,000 per week, and create 3,000 jobs. At the same time, an unnamed TechCrunch source noted that charging infrastructure remains an obstacle to using such vehicles.
Range and price
Tesla expects the Semi version with the longest range to be able to travel 500 miles or more — about 805 kilometers — on a single charge, depending on cargo weight. The company did not disclose the final price. This modification is expected to cost slightly less than $300,000 before incentives are applied. Tesla also plans to produce versions with shorter ranges.
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Tesla Semi program head Dan Priestley said heavy trucks account for 1% of vehicles on the roads but produce 16% of emissions. According to company representatives, the Semi is intended to help fleet operators reduce the total cost of ownership, cut emissions and improve the reliability of transportation.
Design changes
According to Tesla representatives, the launch timeline was affected by the pandemic, a global shortage of components and semiconductors, as well as refinements made following feedback from pilot customers. The company reduced the truck's weight by about 1,000 pounds, or approximately 454 kilograms, compared with the initial version.
Tesla also redesigned the side windows. In the early version of the Semi, they tilted out but did not roll down fully. The truck will now have standard roll-down windows intended to make it easier for drivers to interact with pass readers, toll booths and intercoms. Elon Musk said in a prerecorded video that partial automation features for the Semi are planned to be added soon.
