The Tesla Semi, an electric heavy-duty truck, was unveiled last week. Tesla plans to begin production in 2019, and two customers already are interested in buying them, J.B. Hunting Transport Services and Meijer Inc., the Michigan-based grocery store chain. But Tesla is just one of many automakers that are rushing to dominate the electric bus and truck market. The race is on.
Electric buses and trucks are becoming more popular because they save money on fuel and maintenance and produce fewer emissions. Twelve large cities worldwide, including Los Angeles, Mexico City and Seattle, recently pledged to incorporate all-electric buses in public transportation fleets beginning in 2025.