The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that the Tesla Semi, an electric heavy truck, could be a hit for the company. A New York Times dispatch to The Globe says the product could shake up the staid business of truck manufacturing in the same way that Tesla's cars upended the auto industry. After years of delays, Tesla has begun taking orders for the Semi, which is expected to cost around $290,000 (U.S. for the version that can travel up to 800 kilometres on a charge, much less expensive than heavy-duty electric trucks sold by Daimler, Volvo and other companies, which usually sell for at least $400,000 (U.S.), according to estimates by the International Council on Clean Transportation. Tesla has said the Semi will also have a cheaper model that can travel 560 kilometres between charges. Cost and range are two of the main reasons that many logistics and delivery firms have been reluctant to buy electric trucks, which cost at least twice as much as diesel models and account for only a sliver of heavy truck sales. California trucking companies have asked the state government for subsidies to help them buy more than 1,200 Tesla trucks. Drivers of the Semi say its power, comfort and quiet ride are selling points.