History
The Semi was first mentioned in the Tesla 2016 Master Plan.[8] Tesla said at the time that they had a working prototype that used 'a bunch' of Tesla Model 3 electric motors.[9] 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,[10][11] but left the Semi program a year later to lead one of the Model 3 general assembly lines[12] and subsequently became president of Tesla's automotive division in September 2018.[13] The current lead for the Semi program is Dan Priestly, a Tesla engineer since 2015.[14]
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 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).[15][16]
Tesla indicated that the Semi would be equipped with Enhanced Autopilot as standard equipment, offering semi-autonomous capability,[17] and that new technology with active safety controls on the independent motors and wheels would detect and prevent jackknifing.[16] 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.[18] The battery packs are located under the floor of the cab, between the front and driving wheels.[19] Running empty, the long-range Tesla Semi was expected to have a range of 997 km.[20] In 2017, Tesla projected that the price of production versions for the 300 mile and 500 mile 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.[21]
In 2018, Tesla announced that Semi prototypes were being tested with real cargo, hauling battery packs from Nevada to California.[23][24][25]
The company's plans to put the Semi into production were substantially delayed. At the 2017 unveiling, production was slated to begin in 2019.[22] 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.[26][27] In January 2021, the company announced that Semi production would be delayed until the end of 2021,[28] as the company hoped to ramp up high-volume production of its "tabless" 4680 battery cells[29] (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.[30][31]
In October 2022, Musk announced on Twitter the start of production of the 500 mile range model that would be delivered in December.[33]
In November 2022, the company reported that a Tesla Semi had completed a 500 mile drive while weighing 81000 lb.[34][35]
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.[36] 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).[37]
In late 2023, Tesla announced plans to establish a charging network for the Semi in the southwestern US. The network is expected to cost as much as $100M.[38]
As of May 2024, Walmart, Costco, Sysco, Martin Brower, and US Foods were also testing the Semi.[39] In August 2024, third-party logistics provider NFI tested the Semi and reported an efficiency of 1.64 kWh/mile.[40] In October 2024, DHL reported an efficiency of 1.72 kWh/mile loaded with 34000 kg gross-combined weight over 625 km on a single charge.[41]
On August 19, 2024, a Tesla Semi caught fire after a crash in Placer County, California, which closed I-80 for sixteen hours.[42]
On March 23, 2026, a new model of the Tesla Semi was shown with a sleeker front fascia and nearly 1000 lb less weight.[43]
