Tesla’s EV Push Extends From Robotaxis to Electric Trucks
The next contest in electric vehicles is about more than passenger cars. Tesla is pressing ahead with autonomous-driving ambitions while beginning a new wave of
The next contest in electric vehicles is about more than passenger cars. Tesla is pressing ahead with autonomous-driving ambitions while beginning a new wave of Semi deliveries and securing a leading role in a major U.S. electric-truck order.
The moves give the company several ways to compete as transport shifts toward electrification and automation. But rivals are building their own positions, and the scale of Tesla’s truck rollout remains unclear.
A bet on autonomous cars
David George, an investor at Andreessen Horowitz, said on the venture firm’s State of Markets podcast that he expects all 17 million new cars sold annually in the United States to be autonomous within a decade. He argued that self-driving technology works, a forecast that could create a large market for automakers and ride-hailing firms alike.
Tesla is well placed to pursue that opportunity, but it is not alone. Waymo, Uber and General Motors are also seeking a share of the autonomous-vehicle market. Waymo’s approach uses cameras, radar and lidar, with driverless rides limited to mapped service zones. Tesla and Waymo are expanding robotaxi services in Tampa, Florida, putting different strategies in direct competition there.
George’s prediction came after Tesla shares rose more than 5% on Friday, following third-quarter deliveries that exceeded analyst estimates by 5.3%. The forecast is ambitious, however, and does not establish how quickly autonomous cars will become widespread.
Truck deliveries begin, with production questions
Tesla has also started deliveries from its dedicated Semi factory in Nevada. At an event in Sparks, the company showed trucks bearing PepsiCo, DHL and US Foods logos and said deliveries to an initial customer group were beginning. It did not disclose prices, current production rates or a delivery target for the year.
The factory is intended to produce 50,000 trucks annually, though Tesla has not said when it expects to reach that level. PepsiCo received earlier Semis starting in 2022, but the rollout remained limited. Tesla’s first truck from its new high-volume production line emerged in April.
A separate order could help build demand. Tesla was named the primary supplier for a 2,500-truck electric Class 8 purchase organized by ZET SCALE, an alliance founded by Catalyst Mobility and Smart Freight Centre. Microsoft and PepsiCo are among the founding shippers. Kenworth, Volvo and RIDE were also named as suppliers, so the full order is not necessarily for Tesla Semis.
The alliance says it aims to expand its orders beyond 10,000 trucks over time. How quickly Tesla can supply its share—and reach the Nevada plant’s planned capacity—will be a key test of its push into electric freight.
Source: barrons.com
