Initially planned to be introduced to the public last October 26, TESLA has again rescheduled the launch date of its electric truck sometime this month, although no date has yet been set. Industry insiders have revealed that an on-line invitation from the California based EV manufacturers have been leaked regarding its target launch date supposedly later this week.
Fresh images leaked on-line (possibly from TESLA) shows the front fascia of the electric truck, with the front head lamps mounted lower than the conventional design of standard trucks. Elon Musk, TESLA’s forward thinking Founder and CEO, is hoping to fix all bottlenecks by the middle of this month to fast track the production and simultaneous launch of the Model 3 and the e-Truck. It was revealed that Model 3 production had fallen way short of its initial 1,600 target, with only 260 models produced and 220 delivered thus far. Around 20,000 Model 3’s were expected to be produced by the end of this year.
Musk also addressed the damage caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and other surrounding islands. Tesla is set to increase battery production for the affected areas which in turn has diverted production away from the launch of the all-electric semi-truck.
Despite the delays, Musk remains optimistic and has described the electric car company’s first commercial vehicle as a “beast”, whetting the appetite of the industry by adding, “it’s unreal”. Reuters earlier reported that the truck could have a real-world range of between 200 and 300 miles after speaking to a source close to the company.
According to Scott Perry, an executive at US-based fleet operator Ryder System Inc., who allegedly met with the maker earlier this year, Tesla will kick off with a small-range model before later expanding to rival long-distance rigs capable of more than 1,000 miles on a single charge.
Perry said he met with Tesla officials earlier this year to discuss the technology at the automaker’s manufacturing facility in Fremont, California.
“Right out of the gate I think that’s where they’ll start,” Perry told Reuters. He also suggested the first Tesla truck would be a “day cab” with no sleeper section, as found in many US and European lorries. It’s likely Tesla will add this feature, as and when the vehicle is capable of a longer usable range.
