Tesla’s awaited next phase in self-driving trucks has been much-discussed since the unveil of the Model 3 electric car in July. Now, CEO Elon Musk has given a target date for an unveiling and the first slate of test drives of his company’s next expansion in automotive transportation.
Reports last month indicated that a September reveal of Tesla’s semi truck project could be in the works. And Musk said in the company’s second-quarter earnings call last month that the initiative was on schedule, a move likely aimed at keeping investors happy until Model 3 sales start taking off in earnest. Now we know that the event will be happening a little later than we thought, in late October, but still within an acceptable range for Tesla’s roadmap it seems.
The second half of 2017 is a big moment for Tesla as it starts production of the Model 3, which is intended to open up the company’s brand to many more consumers with a lower, $35,000 to $50,000 price point. The Tesla semi project has the ability to similarly transform the trucking industry, too. We’re now left waiting until the end of next month to see what Musk and Tesla have to show.