Climate Changed

Tesla’s New Semi Already Has Some Rivals

Daimler, Bosch, and others are working on big rigs and buses that leave diesel behind.

Employees work on the roof of an electric bus at the BYD Coach and Bus factory in Lancaster, California, U.S., on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017.
Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

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By Dana Hull

November 14, 2017 at 8:00 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Tesla Inc. will unveil its electric Tesla Semi truck on Thursday evening in southern California. It’s all part of Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk’s “Master Plan Part Deux” in which he vowed to expand the company’s lineup to “cover the major forms of terrestrial transport.” Expect another late-night party stocked with friends and fans, potential Tesla Semi customers and state and local elected officials.

Among the details that will help gauge the Semi’s viability will be total cost of ownership as measured by cost of energy per mile, range, level of autonomy and infrastructure needs. Will there be Super Superchargers? Where is Tesla planning to make this truck? Musk may have some answers.