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Order books have opened in the US for the long-awaited Tesla Semi electric truck – if you’re prepared to put down a $20,000 deposit. Here’s what we know so far.
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The Tesla Semi electric truck has finally gone on sale in the US and order books have opened.
Interested buyers must put down a $US20,000 deposit to secure their place in the queue.
Tesla has released pricing and information for its highly participated prime mover in two model grades.
One model is priced from $US150,000 before on-road costs and has a claimed driving range of 300 miles (482km).
The flagship variant is priced from $US180,000 before on-road costs and has a claimed driving range of 500 miles (805km).
Both models are powered by four electric motors that drive the rear wheels.
Tesla claims the Semi electric rig can accelerate from 0 to 60mph (96.5km/h) in 20 seconds while hauling an 80,000lb load (36 tonnes).
We are unsure how this performance compares to a diesel Kenworth, but if Tesla cars are a guide, this is likely more brisk than most semi trucks.
Photos released by Tesla show a centrally-mounted seating position, with two large information screens either side of the cabin, which also display images from the driver’s blind spot thanks to two roof-mounted cameras (one each side).
It is unclear if the Tesla Semi will be sold in Australia, though a centrally-mounted driver’s seat could make it ambidextrous and open the vehicle up to both left- and right-hand-drive countries.
Tesla claims the Semi’s top speed up a 5 per cent grade when loaded is 60mph (96.5km/h).
Images show the Tesla Semi will have LED headlights and advanced forward-collision warning systems, as well as some form of blind-zone monitoring, though exact details are yet to be disclosed.
Tesla describes the Semi electric truck as the “safest, most comfortable truck ever” and delivers “the lowest energy cost per mile”.
A production date is yet to be announced, but Tesla has previously said it hopes to have its electric big rig on US roads next year, following repeated delays.
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