The Tesla Semi is finally entering mass production nearly nine years after the electric Class 8 truck was first announced. Tesla says Semi deliveries will begin in earnest this week, marking a major step toward broader production after years of delays.
Tesla Semi Production Finally Gets Underway
Tesla first announced the Semi almost nine years ago, with production initially expected to begin in 2019. Limited deliveries did not arrive until 2022, when PepsiCo and a few other customers began receiving the trucks, but the Semi remained far from mass production.
That situation is now changing. An event held at Tesla’s Nevada Gigafactory on September 24 announced that Semi deliveries would begin in earnest this week.
Tesla also confirmed in a post on X that the Semi has officially entered mass production. The company previously said its Nevada facility has enough capacity to produce 50,000 Semis annually, although reaching that production level will take time.
Major Companies Are Already Ordering the Semi
Customer demand is already building, with DHL, PepsiCo and US Foods among the biggest names on Tesla’s client list.
A coalition of major shipping firms has also ordered 2,500 Tesla electric Class 8 trucks. While that number remains well below Tesla’s production target, the order is significant enough to nearly double the number of electric Class 8 trucks in the U.S.
Tesla Semi Range and Charging Details
The Tesla Semi is offered in two versions. The Standard Range model uses a 548-kWh battery pack and can travel 325 miles on a single charge with a fully loaded trailer.
The Long Range version uses an 822-kWh battery and can travel up to 500 miles.
Tesla is also deploying Megachargers specifically for the Semi. The charging system can deliver up to 1.2 megawatts and restore 60% of the battery’s charge in 30 minutes.
Tesla Expands Its Electric Truck Effort
Only one Semi-specific charging station currently exists in California, but efforts to expand the network will likely increase as more trucks reach customers.
With mass production now underway and deliveries beginning in earnest, the Tesla Semi is moving toward broader deployment in the freight shipping industry, roughly seven years after Tesla initially planned to begin production.
