Tesla is set to launch the “beast” that is its electric semi-trailer truck in late October, the company’s chief executive Elon Musk said.
The so-called Telsa Semi, which is expected to be equipped with self-driving technology, has been “tentatively” scheduled for unveiling and test rides one month behind schedule on 26 October in Hawthorne, California.
“Worth seeing this beast in person. It's unreal,” Musk said on Twitter.
Tesla Semi truck unveil & test ride tentatively scheduled for Oct 26th in Hawthorne. Worth seeing this beast in person. It's unreal.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 13 September 2017
The battery-powered heavy-duty commercial truck is reported to have a working range of 200 to 300 miles, making it more suitable for inner-city transport than long-distance deliveries.
In comparison, conventional diesel trucks can typically travel up to 1,000 miles on a single tank of fuel.
Tesla had initially said it expects to launch the truck in September along with plans for a minibus. The company is aiming to have the two vehicles in production in less than five years.
Musk has previously hinted that Telsa Semi could drive itself, saying it would deliver a “substantial reduction in the cost of cargo transport” while increasing safety”.
Eliminating the need for drivers and replacing them with technology could reduce the number of crashes as human error is estimated to cause 90% of road accidents.