Elon Musk Unveils All-Electric Tesla Semi Truck

Elon Musk on Wednesday launched Tesla’s new electric semi truck in Hawthorne.

The Truck, aptly named Tesla Semi, accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds. With 80K lbs load, which is also its maximum capacity, it’ll be able to touch the same mark in twenty seconds. Talking about the range, it can go 500 miles at highway speed.

Musk appeared Thursday night in Hawthorne, California to show off his company’s newest vehicle, promising a range in the neighborhood of 500 miles for the Class 8 Heavy Duty vehicle. Earlier reports pegged the range between 200 and 300 miles, but Musk delighted in besting those numbers in his remarks, including his claim that the truck has a 400 mile range in 30 minutes. Musk had also promised self-driving abilities, and Tesla says this delivers at least semi-autonomous capability.

According to Tesla, the truck beats the traditional diesel rivals when it comes to handling and responsiveness. It can also cover more distance in same time span. Tesla Semi’s significant strength lies in the no need for shifting of gears with regenerative braking.

• Acceleration 0-60 mph with 80k lbs: 20 sec
• Speed up a 5% Grade: 65 mph
• Mile Range: 300 or 500 miles
• Powertrain: 4 Independent Motors on Rear Axles
• Energy Consumption” Less than 2 kWh / mile
• Fuel Savings: $200,000+

The company claims that Semi is the safest truck ever, thanks to advanced Autopilot, a centered driver position, and low center of gravity. The cost of ownership of this vehicle is also about half of the traditional trucks.