Tesla has begun volume production of its Semi, a Class 8 electric truck, as announced on Thursday. This launch occurs a decade after Tesla first showcased the Semi in 2017. The first deliveries are set to begin this week, marking a significant milestone for the company and the commercial freight industry.
The timing aligns with record-high diesel prices, averaging over $6.50 per gallon in the U.S., fueled by conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. These raised costs threaten to increase freight rates and consumer expenses, making the Semi’s arrival particularly timely.
Cost Advantages and Charging Infrastructure
Tesla promotes the Semi as a cost-effective alternative to diesel trucks. “The cost of electricity per mile is much less than the cost of diesel, especially in these crazy times,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in a prerecorded video played at the launch event held at Gigafactory Nevada.
To support the growing fleet of Semis, Tesla plans to roll out 30 Megacharger locations with a total of 200 megawatt-capable posts in the U.S. by the end of this year. This network will be open to other electric truck manufacturers, similar to how Tesla opened up the Supercharger network for all EVs. Tesla said many owners will prefer to charge it overnight using its slower, 125 kW Basechargers, which can be installed at fleet depots. The Semi won’t be able to charge at everyday Tesla Superchargers that owners of its passenger EVs use. It comes equipped with the Megawatt Charging Standard (MCS) connector.
Related Post: City of London Rolls-Royce limo goes electric
Performance and Battery Specifications
The Semi charges at peak speeds of 1.2 megawatts, achieving a 60% charge in 30 minutes. A demonstration video showed the truck reaching nearly 1,200 kilowatts and sustaining over 750 kW at 62% charge. In the same video, Tesla demonstrated that the Semi could achieve a full charge from 3% in approximately 50 minutes, highlighting its rapid charging capabilities.
Two models are available: a Long Range version with a usable capacity of 822 kWh and 500 miles of range, and a Standard Range version with 548 kWh and 325 miles. Both deliver 1.7 miles per kWh efficiency. Tesla specified that the Long Range model can handle a full payload of 82,000 pounds, including the truck, trailer, and cargo, while maintaining its 500-mile range.
Market Demand and Production Goals
Tesla aims to produce 50,000 Semis annually once its 1.7 million-square-foot Nevada plant reaches full capacity. Recent orders include 2,500 units from a shipping coalition and 500 from Swedish firm Einride. The order from the shipping coalition is expected to double the fleet of electric trucks in the U.S., showing the growing demand for sustainable freight solutions.
The Semi utilizes Tesla’s 4680 NCMA battery cells, manufactured at Gigafactory Texas. Musk said the Semi will also get a version of its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) advanced driver assistance system, although the timeline of that rollout is unclear.