When a massive company like Wal-Mart makes a move on new technology less than 24 hours after the tech in question is announced, you know it’s a significant decision. The retail giant has pre-ordered 15 Tesla semi trucks with trailers for its retail operations a day after Elon Musk’s Tesla Motors unveiled the truck this Thursday.
In a statement to CNBC, Wal-Mart said:
“We have a long history of testing new technology – including alternative-fuel trucks – and we are excited to be among the first to pilot this new heavy-duty electric vehicle.”
The order of 15 is overshadowed by Wal-Mart’s fleet of nearly 6,000 trucks, but any success in these tests, to be conducted with 5 trucks in the U.S. and 10 in Canada, could signal a huge sales opportunity for Tesla Motors, as well as a major shift for Wal-Mart’s land logistics operations in North America
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