Elon Musk: Tesla May Unveil All-Electric Pickup Truck Next Year

Tesla could introduce an all-electric pickup truck next year after CEO Elon Musk teased about a prototype via social media. The move wouldn’t be a notable milestone though considering that automotive company Rivian already showcased its all-electric pickup last month.

Musk took the time to answer an inquiry about Tesla’s first electric pickup truck on Tuesday. One concerned consumer asked the business magnate about the release date of the vehicle, and Musk only has this to say, “I’m dying to make a pickup truck so bad … we might have a prototype to unveil next year.”

This wasn’t the first time, however, that Musk has alluded to introducing an electric pick-up truck. Way back in April 2017, the visionary also expressed his desire to produce a pickup truck. The CEO noted that the pickup truck would be unveiled in 18 to 24 months.

In June 2018, Musk once more brought up the pickup truck on Twitter, asking his followers to share what they love to see in the upcoming electric vehicle. At the time, he even teased that the “Tesla Truck” would have a dual motor all-wheel drive as well as a suspension that automatically adjusts depending on the load.

Musk also teased back then that his Tesla pickup trucks would come equipped with power outlets that enable the use of heavy duty 240v high-powered tools without the help of a generator.

It should be noted that a prototype is far from the official production vehicle. Minor to major changes could be implemented depending on feedback. There’s also an issue with Tesla’s capability to mass produce an all-electric pickup truck because it doesn’t have facilities and assembly lines to handle the production of the Tesla Truck just yet, according to TechCrunch.

Tesla’s electric pickup truck is bound to face tough competition from gas-powered trucks of established carmakers. But its main rival in the EV segment could be Rivian R1T “adventure vehicle.”

The newcomer in the electronic SUV and pickup truck platform unveiled the R1T at the 2018 LA Auto Show last month. The vehicle turned heads because it is the first all-electric pickup truck for the U.S. market and it packs in a more than 400-mile range and a ginormous 180 kWh battery pack, which is 80 percent bigger than today’s standard batteries, as pointed out by Engadget.