Wikipedia

Tesla Semi

The Tesla Semi is a battery electric semi-trailer truck built by Tesla, Inc. since 2022. The truck is powered by three motors, has approximately three times the power of a typical diesel semi truck, and can operate at an energy use of less than two kilowatt-hours per mile (1.2 kW⋅h/km).[3] The Semi has two models: one is rated for 325 miles (520 km), the other for 500 miles (800 km). It can haul 45,000 lb (20-long-ton; 23-short-ton) loads.[4]

Tesla Semi
Tesla Semi operated by PepsiCo in Sacramento, California, October 2023. This is one of the units that were first delivered in December 2022.
Overview
ManufacturerTesla, Inc.
Production2022–present
AssemblyUnited States: Storey County, Nevada (Gigafactory Nevada)
Body and chassis
ClassSemi-trailer truck (Class 8)
Body styleTractor unit
Powertrain
Propulsion3 electric motors
Battery822 & 548 kWh, 1,000 V[1][2]
Electric range500 mi (800 km)
Plug-in charging1.2 MW MCS

Two concept vehicles were unveiled in November 2017. Tesla CEO Elon Musk predicted production would begin in 2019,[5] but it began in October 2022,[6] with initial deliveries to PepsiCo in December 2022.[7] Production then stalled.[8]

Volume production of the Semi started on April 29, 2026. The manufacturing facility, located adjacent to the existing Giga Nevada facility, is planned to produce 50,000 Semis annually. The volume-production Semi is expected by Tesla to weigh the same as a comparable diesel truck.[9]

History

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The Semi was first mentioned in the Tesla 2016 Master Plan.[10] Tesla said at the time that they had a working prototype that used 'a bunch' of Tesla Model 3 electric motors.[11] As of April 2017, Jerome Guillen had been leading the Tesla Semi program. Guillen was once in charge of Freightliner's Cascadia Diesel-engine Class 8 semi, before joining Tesla to configure the Model S production line,[12][13] but left the Semi program a year later to lead one of the Model 3 general assembly lines[14] and subsequently became president of Tesla's automotive division in September 2018.[15] The current lead for the Semi program is Dan Priestly, a Tesla engineer since 2015.[16]

A concept prototype of the Semi was unveiled at a press conference on November 16, 2017, where Elon Musk provided additional specifics. He claimed that the electric Semi would cost 20 ¢/mi (12 ¢/km) less to operate than a diesel truck if charged at a Megacharger, for which Tesla said in 2017 they could guarantee a price of 7 ¢/kWh (in the United States).[17][18]

Two prototype Tesla Semis in Rocklin, California

Tesla indicated that the Semi would be equipped with Enhanced Autopilot as standard equipment, offering semi-autonomous capability,[19] and that new technology with active safety controls on the independent motors and wheels would detect and prevent jackknifing.[18] Musk said that the system could eventually allow several units to operate in an autopilot-based convoy, led by a truck with a driver, that would be a cheaper alternative to rail transport.[20] At the time, platooning was legal in only eight U.S. states and all required a human driver in each truck, so changes in legislation would be necessary to achieve that technology capability.[20] The battery packs are located under the floor of the cab, between the front and driving wheels.[21] Running empty, the long-range Tesla Semi was expected to have a range of 620 miles (997 km).[22] In 2017, Tesla projected that the price of production versions for the 300-mile (480 km) and 500-mile (800 km) range versions would be US$150,000 and US$180,000 respectively. The company stated they would offer a Founder's Series Semi at US$200,000.[23][needs update] At the Semi and Roadster unveiling event, Musk stated "Production [of the semi] begins in 2019, so if you order now, you get the truck in 2 years." Tesla intends to warrant the drivetrain for 1 million miles.[24]

In 2018, Tesla announced that Semi prototypes were being tested with real cargo, hauling battery packs from Nevada to California.[25][26][27]

The company's plans to put the Semi into production were substantially delayed. At the 2017 unveiling, production was slated to begin in 2019.[24] In January 2020, Musk stated that a lack of battery production capability was one limiting factor for the conservative Semi production timeline, with the company choosing to use its battery supply for passenger cars instead.[28][29] In January 2021, the company announced that Semi production would be delayed until the end of 2021,[30] as the company hoped to ramp up high-volume production of its "tabless" 4680 battery cells[31] (previewed in September 2020) to meet the demand for the Semi and other vehicles. In October 2021, Musk announced that production of the Semi would slip into 2023.[32][33][34]

In October 2022, Musk announced on Twitter the start of production of the 500-mile (800 km) range model that would be delivered in December.[35] In November 2022, the company reported that a Tesla Semi had completed a 500-mile (800 km) drive while weighing 81,000 pounds (37,000 kg).[36][37]

On December 1, 2022, Tesla began customer deliveries at an evening event hosted at the manufacturing facility in Nevada. PepsiCo received the first Semis of their large order for use with Pepsi beverage and Frito-Lay snack food transportation fleets.[7] PepsiCo Vice President Mike O'Connell stated that the Semis can haul Frito-Lay food products for around 425 miles (684 km), but for heavier loads of sodas, the trucks will make shorter trips of around 100 miles (160 km).[38]

In late 2023, Tesla announced plans to establish a charging network for the Semi in the southwestern US. The network is expected to cost around $100M.[39]

Following years of delays, Tesla used ACT Expo 2024 to provide updated production and deployment plans for the Tesla Semi program including plans for volume Semi production beginning in 2026 and outlined additional deployments for PepsiCo’s fleet.[40]

As of May 2024, Walmart, Costco, Sysco, Martin Brower, and US Foods were also testing the Semi.[41] In August 2024, third-party logistics provider NFI tested the Semi and reported an efficiency of 1.64 kWh/mi (1.02 kW⋅h/km).[42] In October 2024, DHL reported an efficiency of 1.72 kWh/mi (1.07 kW⋅h/km) loaded with 75,000 pounds (34,000 kg) gross-combined weight over 388 miles (625 km) on a single charge.[43]

On August 19, 2024, a Tesla Semi caught fire after a crash in Placer County, California, which closed I-80 for sixteen hours.[44]

In May 2025, Tesla announced plans at ACT Expo to develop a public, 46-station Megacharger network to support broader deployment of the Tesla Semi.[45]

On March 23, 2026, a new model of the Tesla Semi was shown with a sleeker front fascia and nearly 1,000 lb (450 kg) less weight.[46] On April 29, serial production was announced by Tesla.[47]

Design

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Cabin of a Semi prototype

Tesla Semi is powered by three carbon-fiber-wrapped motors; one operates continuously at optimal efficiency, while the other two motors provide additional power for acceleration and hills.[3] The stator and inverter are the same as in the Cybertruck.[4]

The driver's seat is centered inside the bullet-shaped cab. The ceiling allows an adult to stand. Touchscreen displays are set on both sides of the steering wheel, with no other instrument panels.[48] The production model has side windows that completely retract.[4]

It has a drag coefficient of Cd=0.4.[4]

The performance drop in cold weather is similar to diesel trucks (colder tires, etc.) Thermal management is active, routing heat to wherever it is needed (interior, battery).[4]

It includes the same camera set as Tesla's passenger vehicles. Tesla claims that its safety system can prevent jackknifing.[18][better source needed]

The Tesla Semi has a 1.2-megawatt powertrain and charging system. It uses the same NMCA 4680 cells[1] found in the Cybertruck. The battery is rated to last 1 million miles (1.6 million km). High-speed charging is supported at Tesla Megachargers. The battery is located near the ground to keep a low center of mass.[4]

The truck supports commercial semi tires. Downhill driving uses regenerative braking, recharging the battery, without touching the brake pedal.[4]

The truck is able to power a refrigerated trailer or other high-powered machine without a pony motor.[4]

The cab has two rear axles. One provides maximum torque: starting to drive, and driving uphill. The second one is for efficiency during cruising, avoiding a multi-speed transmission.[4]

It has a shorter wheelbase and a smaller battery.[4]

The infotainment system matches Tesla's other vehicles, and supports Bluetooth phone access.[4]

Compared to the initial version, the 2026 model offers:[4]

  • 1,000 lb (450 kg) weight reduction, in part by shifting to 48 volts
  • 7% aerodynamic efficiency improvement
  • Electric rather than hydraulic steering (not steer-by-wire)

Costs

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Semis cost under US$300,000, twice as much as a diesel truck, but $100,000 less than other battery-electric trucks.[49] Because of a California $200,000 subsidy, California companies have placed over 1,000 Semi orders, which would double the number of battery-electric trucks serving the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.[49] The company states that operating costs are 20% less than for comparable diesel trucks across the US, and 50% less in California.[4]

Specifications

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Semi comes in two trims, Long Range and Standard Range:[47][4][50]

Long Range

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  • Range: ~500 miles
  • 4680 cells
  • Electric steering assist
  • Strengthened Cybertruck actuators
  • 48 volt architecture (supports 12-volt accessories)
  • Motors: 3 independent motors on rear axles
  • Power: up to 800 kW
  • Battery: 822 kWh[1]
  • Curb weight: 23,000 lbs
  • Energy consumption: 1.7 kWh/mi
  • Charge speed: ~60% of range in 30 minutes
  • Charge type: MCS 3.2
  • ePTO (electric power take off): ~25 kW

Standard Range (shorter version)

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  • Range: ~325 miles
  • Turning radius: similar to Model Y
  • 4680 cells
  • Electric steering assist
  • Strengthened Cybertruck actuators
  • 48 volt architecture (supports 12-volt accessories)
  • Motors: 3 independent motors on rear axles
  • Power: up to 800 kW
  • Battery: 548 kWh[1]
  • Curb weight: <20,000 lbs
  • Energy consumption: 1.7 kWh per mile
  • Charge speed: ~60% of range in 30 minutes
  • Charge type: MCS 3.2
  • ePTO: ~ 25 kW

Prototype results

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Prior to the 2026 production release:[4]

  • The prototype fleet (a few hundred trucks) drove more than 13.5 million miles (21.7 million km).
  • The busiest truck covered 440,000 miles (710,000 km).
  • Fleet uptime was 95%.
  • 75-80% of Semi breakdowns were resolved and returned to the customer in less than 24 hours, with >50% returned within 30 minutes.

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 Akhtar, Riz (May 9, 2026). "Tesla Semi electric truck features massive 822 kWh battery pack and 800 km of range". The Driven.
  2. ↑ Kane, Mark (December 4, 2022). "Tesla Launches 1,000-Volt Powertrain: Semi Is First But Not The Last". Inside EVs. US. Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Subramanian, Pras (December 2, 2022). "Tesla Semi unveiled with tri-motor setup, megawatt charging tech". Yahoo! Finance. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Jay Leno's Garage (March 23, 2026). Jay Leno Drives the 500-Mile Tesla Semi: The Death of Diesel? | Jay Leno's Garage. Retrieved March 25, 2026 – via YouTube.
  5. ↑ Beckford, Andrew (October 21, 2022). "Long-Delayed Tesla Semi Truck Seemingly Breaks Down, Causing Highway Delays". Motor Trend. Motor Trend Group. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  6. ↑ Montanez, Abby (October 7, 2022). "Tesla Will Deliver Its First Hotly Anticipated Semi Trucks to PepsiCo This December". Robb Report. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  7. 1 2 Tarantola, A. (December 1, 2022). "Tesla finally delivers its first production Semi". Engadget. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  8. ↑ Lambert, Fred (April 4, 2025). "Tesla Semi suffers more delays and 'dramatic' price increase". Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  9. ↑ Aregay, Tinsae (July 18, 2024). "Tesla's Semi Factory Construction Advancing Rapidly to 50,000 Tesla Semis a Year | Torque News". TorqueNews. US. Archived from the original on July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  10. ↑ Bhuiyan, Johana (July 20, 2016). "Elon Musk's Master Plan: Solar power, Tesla trucks, self-driving cars and car-sharing". Recode. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  11. ↑ Lambert, Fred (May 3, 2017). "Tesla Semi is using 'a bunch' of Model 3 electric motors, says Elon Musk". Electrek. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  12. ↑ Lambert, Fred (April 13, 2017). "Tesla Semi all-electric truck to be unveiled in September and be 'next level', says Elon Musk". Electrek. Archived from the original on September 8, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  13. ↑ Lambert, Fred (November 26, 2017). "Tesla's VP of Trucks talks about new electric semi, weight, charging, and more". Electrek. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  14. ↑ Kolodny, Lora (June 16, 2018). "Elon Musk tells Tesla employees that 'radical improvements' are needed to hit quarterly targets". CNBC News. Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  15. ↑ Wang, Christine (September 7, 2018). "Tesla says Jerome Guillen has been promoted to president of automotive". CNBC News. Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  16. ↑ "The Tesla Semi effort is growing fast! | Dan Priestley". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  17. ↑ Holley, Peter (November 17, 2017). "Tesla's latest creation: An electric big rig that can travel up to 500 miles on a single charge". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 20, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  18. 1 2 3 Harris, Mark (November 20, 2017). "More Logical Than Ludicrous: Tesla Semi Will Need to Deliver Reliability". Car and Driver. Archived from the original on June 13, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  19. ↑ Estrada, Zac (November 16, 2017). "This is the Tesla Semi truck". The Verge.
  20. 1 2 Lien, Russ; Mitchell, Tracey. "Tesla's Semi and Roadster impress, but "production hell" raises doubts about follow-through". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 24, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  21. ↑ Davies, Alex (November 16, 2017). "Elon Musk Has Unveiled Tesla's All-Electric Semitruck". Wired. Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  22. ↑ Drouglazet, Klervi (November 17, 2017). "Tesla Semi : ce qu'il faut savoir sur le camion électrique semi-autonome de Tesla" [Tesla Semi: What you need to know]. L'Usine nouvelle (in French). Retrieved September 18, 2018. Il a une autonomie de 997 km à vide et de 804 km à charge maximum : 40 tonnes de marchandises.
  23. ↑ Tung, Liam (November 24, 2017). "Tesla's all-electric Semi truck: Prices start at $150,000 and you can reserve one today". ZDNet. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  24. 1 2 Tesla Semi & Roadster Unveil. Tesla. December 14, 2017. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2022 – via YouTube.
  25. ↑ Fingas, Jon (August 27, 2018). "Tesla's Semi truck is traveling cross-country 'alone'". MSN. Archived from the original on August 27, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  26. ↑ Lambert, Fred (August 25, 2018). "Tesla Semi made it 'across the country alone' with only Supercharger network and an extension cord, says Elon Musk". Electrek. Archived from the original on August 27, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  27. ↑ Fingas, Jon (August 27, 2018). "Tesla's Semi truck is traveling cross-country 'alone'". Engadget. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  28. ↑ Motley Fool Transcribers (January 29, 2020). "Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) Q4 2019 Earnings Call Transcript". NASDAQ. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  29. ↑ Kolodny, Lora (January 30, 2020). "Elon Musk says Tesla won't raise capital, will focus on lowering cost of batteries". CNBC. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  30. ↑ Kolodny, Lora (January 28, 2021). "Tesla Semi production on hold until company can make its own batteries". CNBC. Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  31. ↑ Field, Kyle (September 22, 2020). "Everything You Need To Know About Tesla's New 4680 Battery Cell". CleanTechnica. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  32. ↑ "2021 Shareholder Meeting". Tesla, Inc. October 7, 2021. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  33. ↑ Shahan, Zachary (October 8, 2021). "Tesla Cybertruck Delayed Till End Of 2022, Semi 2023 – Lot Of Supply Chain Challenges". CleanTechnica. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  34. ↑ Lockridge, Deborah (October 11, 2021). "Tesla Semi in 2023?". Heavy Duty Trucking. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  35. ↑ McFarland, Matt (October 7, 2022). "Tesla set to deliver long-delayed electric trucks to Pepsi in December". CNN Business. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  36. ↑ Mulach, Jordan (November 29, 2022). "Tesla Semi reportedly completes 800km range test, US deliveries to begin within days". Drive. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  37. ↑ Sriram, Akash (December 2, 2022). "Musk delivers first Tesla truck, but no update on output, pricing". Reuters. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  38. ↑ "PepsiCo is using 36 Tesla Semis in its fleet and is upgrading facilities for more in 2023, exec says". CNBC. US. December 16, 2022. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Report: Tesla seeks $100M from US for Semi charging route". August 2, 2023. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  40. ↑ Ohnsman, Alan. "Elon Musk Said Tesla's Semi Would Transform Trucking. 6 Years Later, Customers Are Still Waiting". Forbes. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Tesla's Power Play: Costco, Sysco, and US Foods Jump on the 'Electric Semi Bandwagon'". EV-a2z. US. May 9, 2024. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  42. ↑ Klender, Joey (August 20, 2024). "Tesla Semi's latest fleet customer details efficiency advantages".
  43. ↑ Lambert, Fred (October 14, 2024). "DHL tests Tesla Semi and confirms the electric truck's impressive performance". Electrek. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  44. ↑ Sandra, McDonald (August 19, 2024). "Tesla big-rig battery ignites after crash, spewing fumes and shutting California freeway". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  45. ↑ Lambert, Fred (April 30, 2025). "Tesla Semi public charging network coming with 46 stations in 2027". Electrek. Archived from the original on July 23, 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  46. ↑ Jay Leno's Garage (March 23, 2026). Jay Leno Drives the 500-Mile Tesla Semi: The Death of Diesel? | Jay Leno's Garage. Retrieved March 24, 2026 – via YouTube.
  47. 1 2 John, Darryn (April 29, 2026). "Tesla Semi finally reaches high-volume production after years of delays". Drive Tesla. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  48. ↑ O'Dell, John (November 17, 2017). "Elon Musk Unveils Superfast, 500-mile Range Tesla Electric Semi-Truck". Trucks.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2017. He provided no pricing information or specifics as to horsepower or torque figures.
  49. 1 2 Berger, Paul (March 19, 2026). "Tesla Finally Has Its First Semi-Truck and It's Already a Hit With Truckers". Wall Street Journal.
  50. ↑ Levin, Tim (October 3, 2023). "Jay Leno towed 30 tons with a Tesla Semi and said it felt like nothing". Business Insider. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
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