First look at Tesla semi

Picture of vehicle reported to be the Tesla semi is shared on Reddit

Do we have a picture of Tesla’s new semi truck? A Reddit user named itookapicofarocket posted a picture of what he said was the Tesla semi on a flatbed trailer, and then mysteriously removed the picture an unknown reason, but moderators of the forum soon reposted the image on a new thread, which has now garnered more than 350 comments.

The silver and black cab sits on a trailer at an undisclosed California location. No additional details are provided, but there appears to be a roof fairing sitting on the ground to the left of the vehicle, which is not shaped like any current tractor.

The tandem-axle model features a slick, sloped front and sleeper-like compartment area. Many Redditors noted that the vehicle seems to have a similar shape to the image Tesla unveiled earlier this summer, with a sloped front and narrow headlights.

Little is known about the Tesla semi, which is set to be revealed on Oct. 26, other than a few details revealed by Scott Perry, chief technology officer and chief procurement officer for Ryder Systems, who spoke to Reuters following a visit with Tesla.

Perry confirmed a potential range of 200 to 300 miles for the vehicle initially, adding that he’s “not going to count them out for having a strategy for longer distances or ranges, but right out of the gate I think that’s where they’ll start.”

Beyond that, most of the information on the truck is speculation from analysts. Could Tesla eventually offer a battery-swap program that would significantly increase range? Could the truck be autonomous? Might the truck be part of some other big data plan?

It’s likely that many of the questions will be revealed at the official unveiling on Oct. 26.