Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the company will unveil its first electric big-rig truck at a public demonstration on October 26, about a month later than originally planned, Reuters reports. Musk said in April that the new truck would be unveiled in September.
Musk didn't share any new details about the vehicle, but several of its features have already been reported in the media. The new Tesla Semi will be all-electric, with an expected range of 200 to 300 miles, which is consistent with the battery technology available today. That would make the vehicle suited for regional hauls, which make up about 30% of trucking trips in the US, according to Fleet Compete, which analyzes trucking industry data. Such regional trips are expected to increase in the coming years at the expense of longer ones, as retailers build more warehouses closer to their customers to cut delivery times and costs. The truck will also reportedly feature semi-autonomous technology, including platooning software.
The delayed unveiling though could presage further delays in manufacturing and launching the Tesla Semi. Musk has said that the truck is expected to be reach full production in 2019. However, Tesla has earned a reputation for missing its own production deadlines over the past few years. The company has been slow to ramp up deliveries of its much-hyped Model 3 - its most significant production challenge to date.
Manufacturing delays could significantly impact Tesla's opportunity in trucking, as more tech companies, including Uber, Waymo, and several startups, are piling into the space. These other companies could make faster inroads by partnering with existing truck manufacturers to put their technology into new truck models, rather than manufacturing their own models. If Tesla faces significant delays in building the Semi, it would likely cede an early-mover advantage to these other players.
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