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.