Leccy Wagons: they're finally here

This'll blow your hair back.

The age of electric lorries is upon us.

Tesla's unveiled its shiny new motor. The all-electric Semi is the first commercial vehicle to come out of its Californian production plant. It'll tow as much as your run-of-the-mill diesel, but will go from 0-60 at a clip to rival the Maserati GranTurismo.

So what's the Spec?

Let's get right to it. Elon Musk, Tesla CEO, states the new model will:

• Go from 0-60 mph in 5 seconds (with or without trailer)
• Do it in 20 seconds with a gross weight of 36 tonnes
• Go for 500 miles on one charge
• Charge from empty to 400 miles in 30 minutes
• Ascend on a 5% gradient at 65 mph with max gross weight attached (of little practical use to us Brits - stuck as we are at 56mph)
• Boast a drag coefficient of 0.36cd

Like something out of Spielberg. Or perhaps H.G. Wells. In fact, I think we'd all rather be in one of these during a zombie or martian apocalypse.

As for the features...

• Each wheel's powered by 4 independent motors, along with its own independent suspension, allowing for a smoother ride
• Boasts a central driving position, with two screens on each side for heightened observation
• Runs on solar-powered 'megachargers', ensuring electric charge rates never vary
• Has no gears
• Because the brakes recover and store kinetic energy on deceleration, they basicallyincrease your range every time you hit the brakes
• Because of the driving position and aerodynamic body, jack-knifing is said to be impossible (Hmmm not sure about that one)

You'll have noticed I've not mentioned one important aspect.

The price for one of these trucks, however, is yet to be announced.

Yet due to the savings on maintenance and fuel, it's anticipated that a Tesla electric lorry will cost 20% less to run than a diesel. You will, for example, be able to run a lorry of this kind on just 91p per mile as opposed to the average running cost of a diesel, which is £1.14 per mile. Run in convoy and the cost could drop as low as 60p per mile.

Impressive. But...will I need more training?

Though it sounds like Captain Kirk himself might struggle at the helm of one of these monsters, there's been no suggestion that Tesla electric lorries will pose a problem for qualified drivers. In fact, the mind behind this non-V8 claims that operating the vehicle will be, as they say in the U.S., as easy as pie. Musk said: "I can drive this thing and I have no idea how to drive a semi!"

So, when can we expect them?

Well, you won't be able to resettle the West just yet. This frontier-conquering super-wagon doesn't go into production until 2019. Though already orders for them are pouring in.

Among those to have placed an order, Mad Max is rumoured to be particularly keen.

So, this new invention isn't due to revolutionize HGV driving till 2019. In the meantime, you can still stay ahead of the game, and remain comfortably behind the diesel, with this super-simple guide to life on the road: