Tesla begins Semi truck mass production, 9 years later
Nine years after the unveiling, Tesla began mass production of its semi-electric truck in hopes of transforming the world of shipping.
The electric vehicle maker revealed on X that the first big rig has rolled off its “high-volume” manufacturing line at a dedicated factory near Gigafactory Nevada. It is not known exactly when Tesla assembled this first copy.
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The company introduced the production version of the Semi in February. It features Model Y-style design cues and is available in two trim levels: a standard-range model with a 325-mile range at its 82,000-lb gross vehicle weight rating, and a 500-mile long-range version with an extended wheelbase.
Both versions feature a 1,072 hp three-motor system. The battery can charge up to 1.2 MW when plugged into Tesla’s specialized megachargers, helping them reach a 60% charge in 30 minutes. We don’t know how much the Semi finished costs, but Electrek notes that California documents show prices around $260,000 for the standard range and $300,000 for the long range.
Deliveries are expected to begin later this year, although Tesla is unlikely to come close to reaching its factory’s peak production of 50,000 tractor-trailers per year.
The long road to Tesla Semi production
Only a handful of them have been on the roads in nine years
Tesla introduced the Semi in 2017 alongside its as-yet-unreleased second-generation Roadster. At the time, the strategy was clear: Tesla wanted to both electrify trucking and bring increasing levels of autonomy to the category. Production was initially planned for 2019.
However, several delays have delayed the release, including a shift to AI in 2022 that allowed Tesla to increase production of existing electric vehicles. While the first Semis hit the road in October 2023, they were limited to pilot models intended for testing by both Tesla and early customers like PepsiCo and Walmart. Only a few hundred of these are known to have entered service, some of them for Tesla’s own testing.
Mass production changes the equation by making the Semi available in significant numbers. Companies can not only use the Semi in real-world conditions, but also purchase enough to replace significant parts of their fleet. The exact level of demand is unclear, but Tesla will at least have the capacity to meet the needs of large customers.
Ahead of the competition from electric trucks
As late as semi-mass production is, it still gives Tesla an advantage. Main rivals Freightliner and Volvo have produced their respective electric trucks, the eCascadia and VNR Electric, in relatively small numbers. These two models have shorter ranges (230 miles and 275 miles) and higher prices ($400,000 and $350,000).
In theory, Tesla outperforms these competitors with not only greater capacity and lower prices, but also more margin to fulfill bulk orders: companies can switch to electric trucks in bulk instead of upgrading in small bursts.
Source: Tesla (X)
