Tesla Semi Enters Volume Production After Years of Delays

The new factory, situated adjacent to Gigafactory Nevada, is designed to produce 50,000 trucks annually. During the launch event, Tesla highlighted a growing list of customers, including PepsiCo, US Foods, DHL, and WattEV, signaling a push to move beyond the pilot-phase deliveries that began in 2022. Despite the fanfare, the company opted not to clarify the current market price for the vehicle, which industry reports suggest has climbed to roughly $290,000 for the long-range model.

Engineering updates dominated the presentation, with Tesla’s team detailing a shift to 4680 battery cells and a redesigned powertrain. Dan Priestley, director of Semi Truck Engineering, confirmed that the 500-mile range is achieved with a fully loaded vehicle, while the new drive axle and electric power steering are intended to improve maneuverability and reduce maintenance. Tesla claims the truck offers 98 percent uptime, aiming to outpace the industry standard for diesel-powered rigs.

Scaling production remains the company's primary hurdle as it works to fulfill orders for thousands of trucks, including a recent contract for 2,500 units for freight shippers in California. To support this fleet, Tesla is deploying its Megacharger network, capable of delivering 1.2 megawatts per stall. Elon Musk, appearing via a prerecorded message, touted the vehicle's potential to revolutionize long-haul freight, though the company now faces the challenge of converting its long-standing waitlist into consistent, high-volume deliveries.