Pepsi has preordered 100 Tesla electric semi trucks making this the largest public order for electric big rigs. The reservation of Tesla’s new vehicles by the manufacturer of Doritos Crisps and Mountain Dew comes in the wake of fuel costs reduction and minimization of harmful emissions from the fleet.
Tesla with its electric semi truck, unveiled last month, aims at providing alternatives for diesel trucks that have been tested over time and are generally low-cost. The new commercial vehicles provide the trucking community with an affordable electric version that has an impressive cargo capacity and range.
Various other firms like Wal-Mart Stores Inc, food service distribution company Sysco Corp and fleet operator J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. have already ordered the Tesla electric trucks. The reservation by Pepsi takes the overall order number to 267 till date.
The 100 Tesla electric semi trucks which are expected to hit assembly lines sometime in 2019 and will be used by Pepsi for the transportation of beverages and snacks between sites of production and distribution and directly to different retail outlets within an 800km distance. According to reports, Pepsi might have paid Tesla anywhere between $5,000 and $20,000 per vehicle for pre-order.