Tesla has started shipping Semi electric trucks to customers in the US. Earlier, Elon Musk announced that Tesla Semi sales will begin at the end of this year.
The all-electric 8th class truck with a range of 800 km was introduced back in 2017. Then Tesla announced that it will be released in 2019. However, the release program was repeatedly delayed after that, and was not expected to launch until 2023. The electric trucks are made in Nevada near the Tesla Gigafactory.
Now, however, the Tesla Semi has been spotted in Kentucky and Arizona. The driver of one of them reported that he was driving to the Tesla Gigafactory in Texas. Tesla previously said it would itself become the first Tesla Semi customer and plans to use it in its own operations to cut fuel costs.
The automaker has already used early prototypes in its operations, in particular on routes between the Gigafactory in Nevada and the factory in Fremont, California.
Tesla will also begin delivering the Semi to customers who placed orders five years ago. The company accepts orders with deposits up to $20,000. Tesla's customers are Walmart and PepsiCo.
Although the automaker has manufacturing facilities deployed in Nevada, their volume is quite small. Tesla is expected to start mass production of the electric truck at the Gigafactory in Texas next year. According to forecasts, it will deliver tens of thousands of trucks a year.
In September, Tesla began recruiting new Semi maintenance employees. Last year, the company announced plans to launch an electric truck maintenance program.
Back in January, Musk said that Tesla did not intend to introduce new models of electric vehicles before the end of 2022.
bbabo.Net