Tesla wants to test autonomous, all-electric semi in Nevada sans passengers

Quimby Mug Bayou Florida Headshot
Updated Aug 10, 2017

Tesla is working to secure permission to test an autonomous, all-electric long-haul truck in Nevada and it doesn’t want anyone riding along in the cab.

The truck also has platooning capabilities, according to Reuters which reported today that it obtained an email between Tesla and the State of Nevada.

“To insure we are on the same page, our primary goal is the ability to operate our prototype test trucks in a continuous manner across the state line and within the States of Nevada and California in a platooning and/or Autonomous mode without having a person in the vehicle,” Tesla regulatory official Nasser Zamani wrote to a Nevada DMV official.

According to DMV officials in California, Telsa’s also meeting with them to introduce new staff and discuss its autonomous trucks.

To date, autonomous truck testing in Nevada and California has been carried out with people present in the cabs.

Tesla announced earlier this year that it will be unveiling an all-electric long-haul truck in September.