FOCUS-Tesla Semi trucks in short supply for PepsiCo as their rivals use competing EV big rigs

Tesla’s Semi truck promised to deliver 500 miles of range, easy hauling, and low cost of operation. UPS and Pepsi ordered 125 and 100 trucks respectively. Production was scheduled to begin in 2019, but after five years just 36 units have been delivered to Pepsi.

PepsiCo made initial payments for 100 Tesla Semis in 2017, intending to use the electric-truck fleet to haul its Cheetos, Lays potato chips and Pepsi soda pop to retailers. The shortfall lays bare the challenges for Tesla as it seeks to become a high-volume player in truck-manufacturing.

PepsiCo made initial payments for 100 Tesla Semis in 2017, intending to use the electric-truck fleet to haul its Cheetos, Lays potato chips and Pepsi soda pop to retailers. But according to the food-and-drinks maker and one of its executives with knowledge of the deal, PepsiCo was using only 36 of the promised 100 electric trucks as of this month. The shortfall lays bare the challenges for Tesla as it seeks to become a high-volume player in the truck-manufacturing business.