Tesla Semi takes to the track

Tesla has released video clip of its new Tesla Semi prime mover in action, as the battery-electric heavy-duty truck laps a test track in California, near the auto maker's headquarters.

The clip, which was released via Tesla's official Twitter account, shows a white Tesla Semi thundering around the banked test circuit at speed – although 'thundering' isn't perhaps quite the right term.

With a purely electric drivetrain, perhaps 'whine' is a little closer to the mark, although the truck's electric motors do amp things up to an impressive level of pitch and volume.

The footage comes after a videographer recently used a drone to capture some aerial vision of the truck during testing earlier this month.

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Tesla is clearly edging closer to volume production and an on-sale date for its Semi, which was originally scheduled for release in 2019 but was later put back until 2021.

Available in 300-mile (480km) and 500-mile (800km) variants, Tesla says the Semi will accelerate from 0-100km/h with a 36-tonne load in 20 seconds, with drive coming from four independent electric motors on the rear axles.

The truck will be able to take a five per cent grade at 100km/h, the company claims.

The company says a base price of around $US150,000 (approximately $A193,500) is expected for the 300-mile version, rising to $US180,000 (approximately $A232,000) for the 500-mile truck.

Through the savings to be gained via electric propulsion over traditional diesel, Tesla says the Semi has a typical payback period of around two years.

Images courtesy of Tesla