Tesla's Semi-truck model expected to commence mass production in 2026
Tesla Semi: Electric Truck Production Set to Ramp Up in 2026
Elon Musk has confirmed that the volume production of the Tesla Semi, the company's electric truck, will commence in 2026 at a dedicated factory near Gigafactory Nevada. The factory, currently being equipped and finalized, aims to produce up to 50,000 Class 8 electric trucks annually.
The Tesla Semi, known for its efficiency and competitive purchase price, has been a project that highlights the need for better charging infrastructure for longer distances. Customers can order Tesla Semi batteries with ranges of 300 or 500 miles (approximately 480/800 km). With the right technology, 70% of the Tesla Semi's battery capacity can be charged in just 30 minutes.
Tesla claims that the consumption of the Tesla Semi is under 2 kWh per mile, a figure that was supported by ArcBest's energy efficiency recording of 1.55 kWh per mile (0.96 kWh per kilometer). This makes the Tesla Semi more energy-efficient than previously known figures for large electric trucks.
The Tesla Semi has been praised for its comfort, safety, and user-friendliness by drivers involved in the pilot project. During the three-week pilot project in California, the Tesla Semi averaged 321 miles (517 kilometers) per day. The truck handled challenging routes like the 7,200-foot climb over Donner Pass with ease, matching the performance of a diesel truck.
In terms of drivetrain, the Tesla Semi consists of three motors. The initial battery cells to be used are 2140, with plans to transition to 4680 cells in the future.
Regarding expansion plans in Europe, while no detailed expansion plans or production timelines have been publicly announced as of August 2025, Tesla is pushing for the Semi's market entry in Europe, with 2024 as a potential target year. However, any European production sites or market rollout details have not been confirmed yet.
In a recent development, Elon Musk hinted at Germany as a potential production site for the Tesla Semi during a visit to Tesla's electric car factory in Brandenburg. However, concrete plans have not been confirmed yet.
The Tesla Semi, first revealed in 2017, is currently being produced in small quantities. If European production or market entry plans exist, they have not been publicly disclosed or covered in the cited recent sources. Bill Gates, in a post, expressed his opinion about battery power for large electric trucks, but specific details about his thoughts on the Tesla Semi were not provided.
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