Tesla finally begins mass production of its long-awaited Semi truck nearly a decade after unveiling.
Tesla has officially kicked off full-scale production of its all-electric Semi truck, nearly nine years after the model first debuted in 2017.
The trucks are now being built at the company’s new facility in Nevada. The plant spans roughly 1.7 million square feet and is designed to produce up to 50,000 units per year. Until now, the Semi had only been manufactured in limited quantities and tested in real-world fleets operated by major companies like PepsiCo.
The production version is an updated iteration of the Semi, featuring a redesigned front end, improved aerodynamics, and better overall efficiency. Energy consumption has been reduced to about 1.7 kWh per mile—roughly a 15% improvement over earlier versions.
Power comes from three electric motors mounted on the rear axles, delivering a combined output of over 1,000 horsepower. The truck can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5 seconds—remarkably quick for a heavy-duty rig—and offers a driving range of more than 500 miles. Using fast charging, the battery can be replenished to 60% in around 30 minutes.
Inside, the Semi features Tesla’s semi-autonomous driving system, along with a centrally positioned driver’s seat and two 15-inch displays flanking the steering wheel. These screens provide enhanced visibility, including monitoring of blind spots and surrounding traffic.
The truck is expected to be offered in two versions: a Standard Range model with an estimated range of about 310 miles, priced around $260,000, and a Long Range variant capable of over 500 miles on a single charge, starting at approximately $290,000.