The Electric Semitruck

The 3 million semitrucks on U.S. roads are essential to the national economy. But they’re also bad for the environment, emitting millions of tons of carbon pollution. One solution: the ET-One, a formerly fuel-burning truck that California-based startup Thor has converted into a sleek electric rig. The $150,000-plus vehicle, which is still in its prototype phase, can haul up to 80,000 lb. for up to 300 miles on a single charge. (That’s about as much weight as a regular semi, albeit at a fraction of the range—for now.) Thor is not alone in this space; it’s going up against some industry heavyweights, including Elon Musk’s Tesla. But CEO Dakota Semler says he is confident that partnering with established manufacturers with truck-building expertise can help it beat the competition to market. “We want to get our electric trucks out in the world to make a difference now, not 10 years down the road,” he says. —Alex Fitzpatrick