Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk speaks with Dan Priestly, Senior Manager of Tesla Semi Truck Engineering, during the live-streamed unveiling of the Tesla Semi electric truck, in Nevada, US December 1, 2022. REUTERSPIX: Tesla on Thursday delivered the first batch of electric Semi trucks to PepsiCo at an event held at the company’s Gigafactory in Sparks in the US state of Nevada.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk drove one of three Tesla Semis in front of audience inside the factory. The event was livestreamed on Twitter, which Musk now owns, Xinhua reported. First unveiled in concept form five years ago, the Semi was supposed to go into production in 2019 but delayed mainly due to the global parts shortage and the Covid-19 pandemic.
The vehicle is powered by four independent motors, and can accelerate 0-60 miles per hour in 20 seconds. It has a battery range of up to 500 miles when pulling an 82,000-pound load. Prices might start at US$150,000, according to the company. Musk said the company plans to ramp up Semi production to make 50,000 trucks in 2024 in North America. - Bernama