From The Verge · Andrew J. Hawkins · · 2m
Tesla Semi finally ships, nine years late
After a nine-year wait, Tesla begins volume production of its electric Semi truck with major freight customers lined up.
In brief
After a nine-year wait, Tesla begins volume production of its electric Semi truck with major freight customers lined up. Tesla started volume production of its long-delayed electric Semi truck in April twenty twenty-six, nine years after first showing the concept, with major freight operators including PepsiCo and DHL…
Nine years to get here
Tesla's Semi truck, first shown in concept in twenty seventeen, finally enters volume production in April twenty twenty-six.
The launch event
Tesla held an event at its new Semi factory next to Gigafactory Nevada to announce customers and demonstrate the truck is ready.
Major customers lined up
PepsiCo, US Foods, DHL, WattEV, ABF, Einride, IMC, and OK Produce are among the first customers. First deliveries started this week.
Factory capacity
Tesla says the new Semi factory can build fifty thousand trucks a year, or one thousand per week.
A long delay
The Semi was supposed to start production in twenty nineteen but faced delays from the COVID pandemic and global parts shortages.
Price nearly doubled
Tesla originally advertised starting prices of one hundred fifty thousand dollars in twenty seventeen. The long range version now costs two hundred ninety thousand dollars.
Two versions available
The Standard Range truck offers three hundred twenty five miles of range. The Long Range version delivers five hundred miles fully loaded.
Musk calls it revolutionary
In a prerecorded message, Tesla CEO Elon Musk praised the Semi as capable of carrying the heaviest loads over very long distances with ease.
“This is really going to be a revolutionary truck.”
Battery and efficiency gains
Tesla switched to its in house four thousand six hundred eighty battery cells and shaved nearly one thousand pounds off the truck's weight.
Charging infrastructure
Tesla's Megacharger system delivers up to one point two megawatts per stall. The company plans over two hundred megawatt capable posts by year end.
Operating cost advantage
Tesla claims the Semi costs less to run than diesel, with lower energy costs and far fewer parts to maintain.
Delivery challenge ahead
Tesla faces pressure to meet demand from freight operators who have waited years for electric trucks. Any further delays risk damaging the company's reputation.
What matters most
Tesla started volume production of its long-delayed electric Semi truck in April twenty twenty-six, nine years after first showing the concept, with major freight operators including PepsiCo and DHL taking first deliveries.
