- First introduced in 2017, the Semi project has faced numerous obstacles
- Now the semi-trailer moves to a high-volume production line
- Electric truck offers up to 500 miles on a single charge
The official Tesla Semi
Despite being first introduced in 2017, the electric long-haul truck has faced numerous production hurdles and delays, with the company so far producing only a handful of models in a low-volume lineup, primarily for testing on U.S. roads.
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With an estimated battery size of around 900 kWh in long-range versions, the Semi is the first vehicle in the Tesla lineup capable of megawatt charging, and the company is already installing plugs along key transportation corridors in the US that can deliver up to 1.2 mW of power through an MCS 3.2 connector, resulting in charging stops of around 30 minutes.
First Semi of the high volume line pic.twitter.com/fI1AdQrJFHApril 29, 2026
Tesla lists $290,000 for the 500-mile long-range version and about $260,000 for the standard range, making it the lowest-priced Class 8 battery-electric tractor on the market, according to Electrek.
It’s also particularly efficient: Tesla estimates it can achieve 1.7 miles/kilowatt-hour, even when fully charged. What’s more, Semi program director Dan Priestley said on an episode of Jay Leno’s Garage that the batteries are designed to last a million miles.
With mass production already underway, Tesla says it will begin delivering the Semi to its first customers later this year.
Analysis: He arrives late to the game but he is an important player
The Tesla Semi has been in and out of the headlines over the years, partly because it looks so cool and partly because Elon Musk has talked about its “sports car” handling and quick acceleration.
But in the time it has taken Tesla to reach high-volume production, Volvo has created a full range of seven electrified heavy-duty trucks, ranging from long-haul machines to low-entry models designed for construction work and waste collection in cities.
What’s more, Tesla is doing what it does best and is already investing in the charging infrastructure and ecosystem around the vehicles that are so essential to its success.
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