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 2 kWh/mile. The Semi has two models, distinguished by range. One is rated for 325 miles, the other for 500 miles. It can haul 45,000 lb loads.[2]

Two concept vehicles were unveiled in November 2017. Tesla CEO Elon Musk originally stated that production would begin in 2019.[3] Production began in October 2022, three years behind schedule,[4] and initial deliveries were made to PepsiCo on December 1, 2022. However, production then stalled.[5]

Volume production of the Semi is planned for March 2026. Once complete, the manufacturing facility, located adjacent to the existing Giga Nevada facility, is planned to produce 50,000 Semi trucks annually. The volume-production Semi is expected by Tesla to weigh the same as a comparable diesel truck.[6]

The trucks cost under $300,000, about double the cost of a diesel truck, but about $100,000 less than competitors' battery-electric trucks. Because of state-level subsidies of $200,000 per vehicle, trucking companies in California have placed over 1,000 orders for the trucks, which would double the number of battery-electric trucks that operate in and around the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.[7] The company claims that operating costs are 20% less than for comparable diesel trucks across the US, and 50% less in California.[2]

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] 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.[22]

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][32]

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]

Design

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.[44] The stator and inverter are the same as in the Cybertruck.[2]

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.[45] The production model has side windows that completely retract.[2]

It has a ..[2]

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,...)[2]

It includes the same camera set as Tesla's passenger vehicles. Tesla claims that its safety system can prevent jackknifing.[16]

The Tesla Semi has a 1.2-megawatt powertrain and charging system. It uses the same 4680 cells found in the Cybertruck. The battery is rated to last 1 E6miles. High-speed charging is supported at Tesla Megacharger s where it can charge to 60% capacity in 30 minutes. The battery is located near the ground to keep a low center of mass.[2]

The truck supports commercial semi tires. Downhill driving uses regenerative braking, recharging the battery as it goes, without touching the brake pedal.[2]

The Semi uses a 48V low-voltage electrical system, like the Cybertruck, with support for 12-volt accessories.[2]

The truck is able to power a refrigerated trailer or other high-powered machine without a pony motor.[2]

The cab has two rear axles. One provides maximum torque: starting to drive, and driving uphill. The second one is for efficiency during cruising. This means that a multi-speed transmission is not needed.[2]

The Semi Standard's turning radius is comparable to that of the Model Y and Model 3.[46] It has a shorter wheelbase and a smaller battery.[2]

The infotainment system matches Tesla's other vehicles, and supports Bluetooth phone access.[2]

Compared to the initial version, the 2026 model offers:[2]

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

Prototype results

Prior to the 2026 production release:[2]

• The prototype fleet (a few hundred trucks) drove more than 13.5 E6miles.
• The busiest truck covered 440,000 miles.
• 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

• Megawatt Charging System – Direct current (DC) charging system for large battery electric vehicles

External links

• "Numbers starting to add up for Tesla trucks: DHL executive", president at DHL Supply Chain comments, Reuters, February 23, 2018
• Tesla Semi orders list; 646 as of July 29, 2019