Hyped since its prototype was unveiled in 2017, a Tesla Semi EV (electric vehicle) truck was spotted on a California highway last week.
Its distinctive artwork on the cab and trailer suggest it is the same truck that Tesla brought to its Cyber Rodeo Gigafactory event Texas back in April of 2022. At that time, it came in blank, but was seen being painted at the event.
The Tesla Semi was spotted driving westbound near Colfax, California, with a guess that Telsa is testing the truck moving cargo from its Gigafactory Nevada facility near Reno to other Tesla company locations in northern California.
At its reveal in 2017, the promise of an EV semi truck caused excitement in the industry for its zero-carbon emissions, and low cost of operations, but the continued delays have been a drain on enthusiasm. Still, Tesla said that customer deliveries will be made by 2023. That’s five years.
While final details are still to be ironed out, it is expected that the Tesla Semi electric truck will be capable of driving 500 miles (805 kilometres) on a single charge, and be capable of hauling up to 80,000 lbs (~36,287 kg). We are unsure if the mileage promised is with a fully laden trailer.
Tesla also said that its truck will be robust, promising no mechanical failure for its first 1-million miles of running—a bold statement.
Time will tell if the Tesla Semi lives up to its promise, but at least it’s being tested on US highways.