Tesla unveils its first electric articulated lorry - and a new sports car
Tesla has unveiled its first electric articulated lorry – and also a surprise new sports car.
The sleek, almost sinister-looking, truck is set to challenge the dominance of the traditional diesel lorries as long haul kings of the road.
Elon Musk’s US-based company said the truck would go into production in 2019.
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The Tesla Semi will achieve 0-60mph in 20 seconds when pulling 36,287kg (80,000lb), the maximum allowed on US roads. It’s claimed to have a 500-mile range on a single charge.
Tesla Semi unveil, 8pm PT tomorrow — watch live at https://t.co/8uVlhvzpu5 pic.twitter.com/hCIm5iCW6J
— Tesla (@Tesla) November 15, 2017
Speaking on stage at Tesla’s facility in Los Angeles, chief executive Musk said: “It’s not like any truck that you’ve ever driven.”
Musk had teased the reveal on Twitter during the week. On Sunday, he promised it “will blow your mind clear out of your skull and into an alternate dimension”, while on Wednesday he said the truck “can transform into a robot, fight aliens and make one hell of a latte”.
During the event, Musk said the new truck would cost 20% less per mile compared with diesel rivals. Safety features include enhanced autopilot, lane-keeping technology, and a design that makes jackknifing “impossible”, Musk said.
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There are an estimated 3.5 million truck drivers in the US, the vast majority of whom drive diesel-powered engines.
One of the major challenges for Tesla will be to convince drivers of the range and battery life of an electric alternative.
The company plans to build a network of “Megachargers” across the major US road networks that can produce a 400-mile charge in 30 minutes.
Musk maintained it would be “economic suicide” to continue using diesel trucks.
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A sleek new red sports car was driven out of the trailer of the electric lorry during Tesla’s presentation on Thursday.
Going into plaid pic.twitter.com/OUU9s7CUwI
— Tesla (@Tesla) November 17, 2017
The Roadster will have a range of close to 1,000km (620 miles) on a single charge and will do 0-100mph in 4.2 seconds.
Musk described it as “a hardcore smackdown to gasoline cars”, adding: “Driving a gasoline sports car is going to feel like a steam engine with a side of quiche.”
Production on the Roadster is due to begin in 2020.