Tesla's electric truck program is gaining traction as new users emerge beyond its initial circle of internal use and partnership with PepsiCo.
The Tesla Semi, which has been in limited production since its introduction, is now being tested by Sysco, one of the largest food distributors in the United States.
Slow Progression of the Tesla Semi Program
(Photo : VERONIQUE DUPONT/AFP via Getty Images)
Tesla Chairman and CEO Elon Musk steps out of the new "Semi" electric Truck during the unveiling for buyers and journalists on November 16, 2017 in Hawthorne, California, near Los Angeles.
Since entering production over a year ago, the Tesla Semi program has been progressing slowly.
As of October 2023, Tesla had produced only about 70 units of its electric semi-truck. These vehicles were primarily utilized internally and by PepsiCo, Tesla's first major customer, per Electrek. However, expansion plans are underway, with Tesla breaking ground on a new project at Gigafactory Nevada intended to boost production capacity.
Sysco Joins as a New Tesla Semi Customer
In a significant development, Sysco has started testing the Tesla Semi. This move comes after Sysco announced at its Investor Day in New York that it had reserved 50 of Tesla's fully-electric semi-tractors following their initial unveiling in 2017.
To prove that this is true, a Tesla Semi truck was recently seen in operation by Sysco in California, indicating active use outside Tesla's internal operations and existing partnerships.
If this can be confirmed it is truly ‘BREAKING NEWS!’ https://t.co/OV8At9iMHs
— Zanegler (@HinrichsZane) April 27, 2024
The video was uploaded by Richard Garcia on X where he said that his friend who works for US Foods sent the clip to him.
A friend of mine who works for US Foods sent this video to me. pic.twitter.com/LjPVb1d7O0
— Richard Garcia (@ricardgarciahoe) April 27, 2024
Related Article: Tesla Cybertruck Receives Advanced Off-Road Controls in Latest Update
When Will Tesla Release Semi?
As per Teslarati's report, Tesla has updated its production timeline, now expecting the electric truck to enter volume production by late next year. Customer deliveries are projected to begin in earnest in 2026, marking a huge milestone for the American automaker as it aims to meet the growing demand for sustainable commercial vehicles.
Tesla Semi's Performance and Range
The Tesla Semi is designed to revolutionize long-haul transportation with its impressive capability of traveling up to 500 miles on a single charge while fully loaded. This feature positions the Tesla Semi as a viable alternative to traditional diesel trucks, aligning with increasing regulatory and corporate focus on reducing carbon emissions in the logistics sector.
It is expected that the EV giant will improve its production capabilities for the electric Semi truck as fans also expect it to come soon. More collaborations are coming, as well.
It's important to note that Tesla Semi could be a leader in transforming the logistics industry with its innovative, environmentally friendly technology. With companies like Sysco beginning to integrate these electric trucks into their fleets, the future of electric freight is looking more promising.
While we haven't seen Semi trucks from other companies, we remember that Tesla previously recalled these vehicles over a parking brake issue. At the time, the car manufacturer unveiled that 35 units were affected by the said issue.
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