HAWTHORNE, Calif. -- Tesla Inc., undeterred by its widest quarterly loss in history and Model 3 production delays, formally set its sights on disrupting the commercial truck market Thursday with the unveiling of an all-electric semi.
The EV maker says the Tesla Semi will provide "a far better experience" for long-haul truck operators, while enhancing road safety and significantly slicing cargo transportation costs.
A prototype of the Semi was driven and introduced by Tesla CEO Elon Musk before hundreds of journalists, Tesla faithful, potential truck buyers and investors at an airport hanger here.
"I can drive this thing and I have no idea how to drive a semi," Musk joked.
The Semi -- currently in the prototype stage -- has a range of 500 miles at full load and highway speeds, Musk told the crowd, and can reach 60 mph from zero in 5 seconds.
It shares a number of components with the Tesla Model 3 sedan to keep costs down.