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). 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.
Two concept vehicles were unveiled in November 2017. Tesla CEO Elon Musk predicted production would begin in 2019, but it began in October 2022, with initial deliveries to PepsiCo in December 2022. Production then stalled.
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.
Contents
History
The Semi was first mentioned in the Tesla 2016 Master Plan. Tesla said at the time that they had a working prototype that used 'a bunch' of Tesla Model 3 electric motors. As of April 2017, Jerome Guillen had been leading the 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, but left the Semi program a year later to lead one of the Model 3 general assembly lines and subsequently became president of Tesla's automotive division in September 2018. The current lead for the Semi program is Dan Priestly, a Tesla engineer since 2015.
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 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).
Tesla indicated that the Semi would be equipped with Enhanced Autopilot as standard equipment, offering semi-autonomous capability, and that new technology with active safety controls on the independent motors and wheels would detect and prevent jackknifing. 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. 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. The battery packs are located under the floor of the cab, between the front and driving wheels. Running empty, the long-range Semi was expected to have a range of 620 miles (997 km). 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. 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.
In 2018, Tesla announced that Semi prototypes were being tested with real cargo, hauling battery packs from Nevada to California.
The company's plans to put the Semi into production were substantially delayed. At the 2017 unveiling, production was slated to begin in 2019. 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. In January 2021, the company announced that Semi production would be delayed until the end of 2021, as the company hoped to ramp up high-volume production of its "tabless" 4680 battery cells (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.
Design
The 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. The stator and inverter are the same as in the Cybertruck.
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. The production model has side windows that completely retract.
It has a drag coefficient of Cd=0.4.
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).
It includes the same camera set as Tesla's passenger vehicles. Tesla claims that its safety system can prevent jackknifing.
The Semi has a 1.2-megawatt powertrain and charging system. It uses the same 4680 battery cells with NMCA chemistry 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.
The truck supports commercial semi tires. Downhill driving uses regenerative braking, recharging the battery, without touching the brake pedal.
The truck is able to power a refrigerated trailer or other high-powered machine without a pony motor.
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.
It has a shorter wheelbase and a smaller battery.
Costs
Semis cost under US$300,000, twice as much as a diesel truck, but $100,000 less than other battery-electric trucks. 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. The company states that operating costs are 20% less than for comparable diesel trucks across the US, and 50% less in California.
Specifications
The Semi comes in two trims: Long Range and Standard Range.
Both trims
Battery: 4680 cell format, NMCA chemistry
Electric steering assist
Strengthened Cybertruck actuators
48 volt architecture (supports 12-volt accessories)
Motors: Three independent motors on rear axles
Power: up to 800 kW (1,073 hp; 1,088 PS)
Energy consumption: 1.7 kW⋅h/mi (106 kWh/100 km)
Charge speed: ~60% of range in 30 minutes
Charge type: MCS 3.2
ePTO (electric power take off): ~25 kW
Long Range
Range: ~500 miles (805 km)
Battery: 822 kWh
Curb weight: 23,000 lb (10,433 kg)
Standard Range
Range: ~325 miles (523 km)
Battery: 548 kWh
Curb weight: <20,000 lb (9,072 kg)
Prototype results
Prior to the 2026 production release:
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 more than half returned within 30 minutes.