Tesla Wants To Electrify Big Trucks, Adding To Its Ambitions

Tesla Wants To Electrify Big Trucks, Adding To Its Ambitions

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After more than a decade of making cars and SUVs — and, more recently, solar panels — Tesla Inc. wants to electrify a new type of vehicle: big trucks.

The company unveiled its new electric semitractor-trailer last week near its design center in Hawthorne, California.

CEO Elon Musk said the semi is capable of traveling 500 miles (804 kilometers) on an electric charge — even with a full 80,000-pound (36,287-kilogram) load — and will cost less than a diesel semi considering fuel savings, lower maintenance and other factors. Musk said customers can put down a $5,000 deposit for the semi now and production will begin in 2019.

“We’re confident that this is a product that’s better in every way from a feature standpoint,” Musk told a crowd of Tesla fans gathered for the unveiling. Musk didn’t reveal the semi’s price.

Even so, the company already is starting to get orders. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, said in a statement that it has pre-ordered five Tesla units in its Walmart U.S. division and 10 units at Walmart Canada. Midwest retailer Meijer said it has reserved four trucks. And Arkansas trucking company J.B. Hunt said it has reserved “multiple” tractors that it will deploy on the West Coast but didn’t specify how many.

Tesla unveiled its new electric semitractor-trailer Thursday (16) night near its design center in Hawthorne, California. CEO Elon Musk said the semi is capable of traveling 500 miles on an electric charge - even with a full 80,000-pound load. (Nov. 17)