Tesla sets a competitive price for its electric Semi

After unveiling its Semi electric truck last week, Tesla just announced the estimated price for the trucks. The 300-mile version gets a US$150,000 (around CA$190,000) price tag, while the 500-mile model comes in at $180,000 (close to $230,000). Both are said to be lower than what pundits predicted it would be. As Engadget points out, the 500-mile model will be around $60,000 more than a regular diesel-powered semi-truck but in the long run it’ll cost 20 percent less to run, putting savings over a million miles at around $250,000. Critics are wondering how Tesla is able to bring the price down. But perhaps they worked out some new technology to make this work.

The Tesla Semi introduces features like Enhanced Autopilot (automatic emergency braking, automatic lane keeping and lane departure warning) to improve safety and jackknife protection, sensors, and cameras to help reduce blind spots. It’ll have faster acceleration to make climbing hills and the like an easier thing. But some truckers aren’t completely sold on the Semi. One trucker named Jonathon Ramsey wondered about visibility with the Semi given the lack of mirrors and center pilot position. Ramsey also points out that brakes should’ve been more of the focus than acceleration. It isn’t keeping away interested buyers, though. Canadian grocery chain Loblaws is one of the companies who have already placed a big order for them.

Tesla sets October 26th as tentative date for Semi truck launch event

Tesla originally set a September launch for its all-electric Semi truck but that got pushed back and now we get a new tentative date for the launch. Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted that the Semi truck will be unveiled on October 26^th at Hawthorne, California, which is where SpaceX HQ is located. But he adds the caveat that it’s “tentatively scheduled.” Not only will those in attendance get to see the truck but Musk says there will also be a test ride, meaning the Semi will be operational when it gets unveiled.

As expected details about the truck are sparse. But the event should shed light on questions like whether it’ll feature autonomous driving technology, have a 200- to 300-mile range (as reported by Reuters), and have a sizable battery pack to power through this (and whether it needs more charging time to fill its battery). Musk has previously said there would be more surprises at the event.

Source: TechCrunch