The Tesla Semi, an electric truck from the company that will eventually bring the Model 3 to the masses, has finally been unveiled after being delayed for a couple of months.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk himself unveiled the Tesla Semi truck in a press event, alongside a new version of the Tesla Roadster that he claimed to be the fastest production car ever made.
Tesla Semi Specs: 500-Mile Range Is Impressive
Reports from earlier this year claimed that the Tesla Semi will only have a range of 200 miles to 300 miles, which would have actually been enough for most shipments. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, most freight shipments by value and tonnage move less than 250 miles. This includes shipments made through trains and waterways, through which shipments are usually longer than through trucks.
Musk, however, was pleased to announce that the Tesla Semi would actually have about double the reported range, allowing the electric truck to go as far as 500 miles on a single charge.
The Tesla Semi also offers a maximum load capacity of 80,000 pounds, with a speed of 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5 seconds and in 20 seconds if it is carrying the maximum load. The electric truck's powertrain will be guaranteed over 1 million miles, and it will feature windshield glass that will not be destroyed a thermonuclear explosion, Musk claimed.
Inside the Tesla Semi, the driver seat will be positioned in the center for better visibility, with touch screens on both sides to access blind spot monitoring and navigation. The electric truck will also have tracking features for fleet management and will come with Tesla's Enhanced Autopilot system.
Musk did not yet reveal a price for the Tesla Semi, but he did note that it will cost 20 percent less for each mile compared to driving a diesel truck. The Tesla CEO added that Tesla Semi production is expected to start in 2019, but for a company known for delays, the time line for the electric truck is likely still flexible.
New Tesla Roadster: The Fastest Car Ever Made
Musk did not stop at unveiling the Tesla Semi, though. At the same event, the CEO also announced the new Tesla Roadster, which Musk claimed is the fastest production car in history.
Musk said that the base model of the Tesla Roadster can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 1.9 seconds and 0 to 100 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds. The electric vehicle can travel a quarter mile in just 8.9 seconds.
The new Tesla Roadster is said to have a 200 kWh battery pack, a highway driving range of 630 miles, and a top speed of over 250 miles per hour. It will be rolled out in 2020 with a price tag of $200,000.
