Tesla Semi reportedly nearing delivery; here's the latest on Cybertruck, Roadster and more
Tesla is working on the Cybertruck pickup, Roadster
supercar, and a dedicated self-driving taxi.
Tesla
Tesla plans to launch several models in the coming years. They’re in various stages of development.
Deliveries of the semi-truck are scheduled to start in December.
Elon Musk says an electric pickup truck, sports car, and self-driving taxi will follow.
Tesla currently sells four models, but Elon Musk has grand plans to launch a range of new vehicles in coming years.
The company is working on a semi-truck, a cyberpunk pickup, and a supercar, and Musk has mentioned several other potential projects. Many of these vehicles have already faced long delays, and there’s no guarantee they’ll all see the light of day.
Semi
The interior of the upcoming Tesla Semi.
Tesla
Tesla revealed the Semi in 2017 with lofty goals to revolutionize long-haul trucking. Now the company plans to deliver the first trucks to Pepsi in December, three years behind schedule.
The Semi, which will be built at Tesla’s factory in Nevada, will be able to travel up to 500 miles on a full charge, Tesla claims. It promises to recoup 70% of its range in 30 minutes when plugged into a fast-charger.
Cybertruck
Tesla’s Cybertruck
Frederic J. Brown/AFP
Tesla made a splash when it unveiled the funky-looking Cybertruck pickup at an event 2019 — and not for all the right reasons. First off, the truck’s windows were advertised as bulletproof but broke twice during an on-stage demonstration. Some onlookers couldn’t get over its weird design.
The truck is now supposed to enter early production in 2023, but its price and specs are unknown after Tesla removed details about the Cybertruck from its website. Some fun facts about the pickup, according to Musk: It will be able to serve briefly as a boat and there will be a four-motor version that can spin in place like a tank.
Roadster
Tesla Roadster.
Tesla
Tesla started out with a two-seater sports car called the Roadster. Now it’s bringing it back as a $200,000 supercar that promises to hit 60 mph in under two seconds and drive 620 miles on a full charge. Musk has said it will have cold-air thrusters that will boost acceleration and enable it to hover short distances.
We’ll believe it when we see it.
When the Roadster debuted in 2017, Tesla said it would be on the road by 2020. Now it’s targeting 2023.
Robotaxi
Musk first mentioned the robotaxi at an event marking the opening of Tesla’s factory in Texas.
SUZANNE CORDEIRO / AFP
In April, Musk said Tesla would eventually produce a “dedicated” self-driving taxi with “futuristic” looks. Later that month on an earnings call, he said that the robotaxi will be built without a steering wheel or pedals and that it should go into production by 2024.
Small, $25,000 car
Elon Musk announces a future $25,000 EV at Tesla’s Sept. 22 ”
Battery Day” event.
Tesla on YouTube
In 2020, Musk said Tesla was working on a $25,000 car that would be available “about three years from now.” Musk squashed hopes that the budget model was imminent when he said in January that Tesla had shelved the project.
Then on Tesla’s most recent earnings call in October, Musk renewed speculation about the cheap vehicle when he mentioned that Tesla’s next vehicle platform will be smaller and cost about half as much as that of the Model 3 and Model Y. He said sales of that future model will quickly dwarf all other Tesla vehicles combined.
It’s unclear whether Musk was referring to the same $25,000 car he mentioned before or the robotaxi.
Cyberquad
Tesla Cybertruck and Cyberquad.
Ringo H.W. Chiu/Associated Press
Tesla revealed the Cyberquad ATV at the same time as the Cybertruck but hasn’t said much about it since. (It did briefly sell a kids version for $1,900, which has now been recalled.) According to Musk, the adult model will go on sale alongside the Cybertruck as an option.
Van
Tesla’s current lineup of cars.
Tesla
On a few different occasions, Musk has mentioned the potential for a Tesla van. On Joe Rogan’s podcast last year, Musk said it could be powered by built-in solar panels.
Tesla would join Ford, GM, Rivian, and Mercedes, all of whom now sell electric delivery vans.
