Tesla’s electric semi-truck, the Tesla Semi, is finally hitting the road beyond its initial testing ground. A new customer, Martin Brower (MB), a major logistics company, has received their Semi for a pilot program, and the results are positive! According to reports, the performance has “pushed the electric vehicle well beyond expectations.”
This is a welcome sign for Tesla, considering the Semi program’s history of delays. First announced in 2017 with a projected 2020 launch, it only officially entered production in late 2022. Even then, the program remained limited. As of October 2023, Tesla had built only around 70 Semis, primarily for internal use and for their initial partner, PepsiCo.
While a Gigafactory Nevada expansion was announced last year to ramp up production, construction only just recently began. So, the news of another customer receiving a Semi, especially with such a positive initial impression, is an encouraging development for Tesla.
This pilot program could pave the way for wider adoption of the Tesla Semi, potentially revolutionizing the long-haul trucking industry. However, it’s important to remember the program’s past delays. Hopefully, Tesla can translate this early success into a smoother and more expedited rollout for future customers.
Tesla Semi Delivers Early Punch: New Customer “Impressed Beyond Expectations”
There’s good news for Tesla’s long-delayed electric truck, the Tesla Semi! A new customer, Martin Brower (MB), a major logistics company, has been testing the Semi through a pilot program, and they’re raving about it. According to Megan Yamaguchi, Assistant Transportation Manager at MB, the performance has “pushed the electric vehicle well beyond expectations.”
This is a big deal for Tesla, considering the Semi program’s history of missed deadlines. Despite the delays, MB’s drivers quickly adapted to the Semi’s systems and are impressed with its unique features. Yamaguchi even hints at the Semi exceeding their performance expectations, which bodes well for Tesla’s future in the long-haul trucking industry.
Dan Priestley, Tesla Semi lead engineer, acknowledges the valuable feedback MB has provided during the testing phase. He also expresses gratitude to all their customers for their patience and collaboration in refining the Semi. Priestley concludes with a call to action, urging us to “keep an eye out for them on the road!”
