The road transport sector is undergoing its biggest transformation in history. Tesla has just updated information on its electric truck, the Tesla Semi, confirming what many expected: the start of mass production at its recent dedicated plant in Nevada. After a long period of testing with partners such as PepsiCo and DHL, Elon Musk has given the green light for the electric truck to begin rolling off the assembly lines en masse during the second half of the year.
This move isn’t just a statement of intent, but the start of an industrial phase aiming to manufacture up to 50,000 units annually when the plant reaches full capacity. With initial official deliveries scheduled for late 2026, the Tesla Semi is moving beyond being an exclusive prototype for experimental fleets to become a commercial reality available to the global logistics market. The launch is expected to intensify competition in the heavy-duty trucking segment, currently dominated by diesel-powered vehicles.
Two Versions to Dominate the Road
The major reveal this month has been the breakdown of the final specifications for the two variants Tesla will bring to market. The company has decided to structure its offering in two levels of range to adapt to different operational needs, from regional distribution to long-haul transport.
- Standard Range: Offers a range of 325 miles (approximately 523 km) with a full load of 82,000 lbs (37,195 kg) gross combination weight. Its unladen weight is less than 20,000 lbs (9,072 kg), maximizing payload capacity.
- Long Range: The flagship model achieves 500 miles (approximately 805 km) of range under the same maximum weight conditions. Due to its larger battery pack, its unladen weight rises to 23,000 lbs (10,433 kg).
Both versions share a surprising energy efficiency of 1.7 kWh per mile, demonstrating that Tesla’s aerodynamics and energy management remain a step ahead of the competition. Tesla has not specified the battery size in either case.
Three-Motor Power and Megawatt Charging
Under the chassis, the Tesla Semi hides a propulsion system of three independent motors located on the rear axles, capable of delivering up to 800 kW of power (equivalent to over 1,000 hp). This configuration not only allows the truck to maintain highway speeds even on steep gradients, but also guarantees superior stability and traction control thanks to the electronic management of each motor.
But the data point that has really shaken the industry is its charging speed. Thanks to the MCS 3.2 (Megawatt Charging System) standard, the Tesla Semi is able to recover up to 60% of its range in just 30 minutes. With peak charging rates of up to 1.2 MW, the truck can add hundreds of kilometers of range during the driver’s mandatory break, eliminating one of the biggest bottlenecks in long-distance electric transport. Of course, receiving such a large amount of energy requires a specific charging point.
What is the Cost?
Although official prices vary depending on fleet configuration, the latest leaks and government documents suggest the Tesla Semi will enter the market with a starting price of approximately $260,000 for the Standard Range version and around $300,000 for the Long Range (approximately €241,000 and €278,000 respectively). Despite being a higher initial investment than a conventional diesel truck, Tesla insists that the operational savings will offset the difference in a short time.
