Tesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed the company’s intention to build an all-electric pick-up truck to compete with conventionally-powered vehicles like the Ford F-150; America’s best selling vehicle since 1981.
The new pick-up truck forms part of Musk’s ‘Master Plan, Part Deux’, which details a proposed range expansion to include a smaller SUV, as well as trucks and autonomous buses. The products will roll out over the next few years, along with new solar charging technology and car share plans.
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In the plan, Musk claimed a number of products – including the lorries and buses – would be ready for unveil next year, hinting that the pick-up and smaller SUV are being worked on concurrently. It’s likely Tesla’s first pick-up will rival models like the upcoming Mercedes ‘X-Class’, albeit without conventional petrol or diesel power.
We expect the Tesla pick-up to share its underpinnings with the Model X SUV, as well as offering an identical range of powertrains. That means it should offer performance unlike any other pick-up on the market. Despite weighing almost 2.5 tonnes, even the basic Model X will sprint from 0-60mph in around six seconds, while an all-electric range of 220 miles should be plenty for most prospective owners.
However, being a commercial vehicle, it’s likely to be priced below the Model X, which currently has a starting price of £64,100 for the 60D version. For it to compete with diesel rivals, Tesla would need to price its pick-up closer to £30,000, though that’ll inevitably be confirmed in due course. Many competitors offer multiple bodystyles including single and king-cab variations, though Tesla is expected to stick with the popular double-cab setup.
In terms of carrying capacity and load volume, the Tesla is likely to match models like the Nissan NP300 Navara, which offers a 1,000kg pay load. Like the Model X SUV, we expect the Tesla pick-up to be four-wheel drive only, using the brand’s Dual Motor technology powering the front and rear wheels. We’ve no word on towing capacity, but given the fact that even the basic Model X has 525Nm of torque that isn’t likely to be a problem.
Musk also detailed his plans to push on with autonomous driving in the latest Master Plan, so the pick-up will undoubtedly get all the hardware and software necessary to allow features like Autopilot and Summon to function. Musk acknowledges it’ll be some time before legislation and laws are in place before full autonomy is allowed on public roads, but assures us that Tesla will be at the forefront of the innovation. Once approved, you’ll be able to “sleep, read or do anything else on route to your destination,” Musk said.
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