The truck will have Tesla\u2019s Autopilot system, which can maintain a set speed and slow down automatically in traffic. It also has a system that automatically keeps the vehicle in its lane. Musk said several Tesla semis will be able to travel in a convoy, autonomously following each other.<\/span><\/p>\n

Musk said Tesla plans a worldwide network of solar-powered \u201cmegachargers\u201d that could get the trucks back up to 400 miles of range after charging for only 30 minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tesla unveiled its new electric semitractor-trailer Thursday night near its design center in Hawthorne, California. CEO Elon Musk said the semi is capable of travelling 500 miles on an electric charge – even with a full 80,000-pound load. (Nov. 17)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The move fits with Musk\u2019s stated goal for the company of accelerating the shift to sustainable transportation. Trucks account for nearly a quarter of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., according to government statistics.<\/span><\/p>\n

But the semi also piles on more chaos at the Palo Alto, California-based company. Tesla is way behind on production of the Model 3, a new lower-cost sedan, with some customers facing waits of 18 months or more. It\u2019s also ramping up production of solar panels after buying Solar City Corp. last year. Tesla is working on a pickup truck and a lower-cost SUV and negotiating a new factory in China. Meanwhile, the company posted a record quarterly loss of $619 million in its most recent quarter.<\/span><\/p>\n

On Thursday night, Tesla surprised fans with another product: An updated version of its first sports car, the Roadster. Tesla says the new Roadster will have 620 miles of range and a top speed of 250 mph (402 kph). The car, coming in 2020, will have a base price of $200,000.<\/span><\/p>\n

Musk, too, is being pulled in many directions. He leads rocket maker SpaceX and is dabbling in other projects, including high-speed transit, artificial intelligence research and a new company that\u2019s digging tunnels beneath Los Angeles to alleviate traffic congestion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s got so much on his plate right now. This could present another distraction from really just making sure that the Model 3 is moved along effectively,\u201d said Bruce Clark, a senior vice president and automotive analyst at Moody\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tesla\u2019s semi is venturing into an uncertain market. Demand for electric trucks is expected to grow over the next decade as the U.S., Europe and China all tighten their emissions regulations. Electric truck sales totalled 4,100 in 2016, but are expected to grow to more than 70,000 in 2026, says Navigant Research.<\/span><\/p>\n

But most of that growth is expected to be for smaller, medium-duty haulers like garbage trucks or delivery vans. Those trucks can have a more limited range of 100 miles (160 kilometres) or less, which requires fewer expensive batteries. They can also be fully charged overnight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Long-haul semi trucks, on the other hand, would be expected to go greater distances, and that would be challenging. Right now, there\u2019s little-charging infrastructure on global highways. Without Tesla\u2019s promised fast-charging, even a mid-sized truck would likely require a two-hour stop, cutting into companies\u2019 efficiency and profits, says Brian Irwin, managing director of the North American industrial group for the consulting firm Accenture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Irwin says truck companies will have to watch the market carefully because tougher regulations on diesel or an improvement in charging infrastructure could make electric trucks more viable very quickly. Falling battery costs also will help make electric trucks more appealing compared to diesel.<\/span><\/p>\n

But even lower costs won\u2019t make trucking a sure bet for Tesla. It faces stiff competition from long-trusted brands like Daimler AG, which unveiled its own semi-prototype last month.<\/span><\/p>\n