Tesla Semi’s debut delivery

Tesla Semi electric trucks are doing their first cargo haul, carrying battery packs from Tesla’s Gigafactory 1 in Nevada to its Fremont factory in California.

The news has come from Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk who posted a photo of the trucks leaving the Gigafactory, which makes storage batteries such as Tesla’s Powerpacks and Powerwalls.

Both of Tesla’s previously seen Semi prototypes were hooked to trailers with battery packs, the company confirming last year it will use the Semi for freight between the two sites, Electrek

reports.

The more than 770km round trip should test the Semi’s range, which Tesla says is up to about 800km with a full load (36 tonne maximum).

The downhill trip from Gigafactory 1 to Fremont should be easier with regenerative braking, but Electrek expects the real test will be on the return journey if taking cargo.

Speed will also be tested, with Tesla saying the trucks can do up to about 105km/h on a 5% grade.

Production of the Tesla Semi is expected to start in 2019.