Tesla's all electric Semi—a truck shrouded in mystery since its 2017 debut—is inching closer to mainstream. In a quiet but significant update to its digital storefront, Tesla announced production specifications for its Class 8 truck that is supposed to make its debut this year.
The update confirms a two-tier lineup—Standard Range and Long Range—alongside a pivot toward autonomous freight that the company had previously downplayed.
Efficiency meets heavy hauling
While the Semi has seen several design iterations over the last nearly 9 years—including a redesigned chassis and optimized aerodynamics showcased at last year's shareholder meeting—the core performance metrics are now set.
Both models will utilize a three-motor system on the rear axles, delivering 800 kW (approx. 1,072 hp) of drive power. Perhaps most impressive is the efficiency: Tesla claims a 1.7 kWh per mile consumption rate across both trim levels, even when loaded to a full 82,000 lb gross combination weight.
For the first time, Tesla confirmed curb weight of its electric rig. The Standard Range model tips the scale at under 20,000 pounds, while the Long Range version comes in at approximately 23,000 pounds, the company claims.
The Long Range variant boasts a peak charging speed of 1.2 MW. Utilizing the new MCS 3.2 standard, the truck can recover 60% of its battery in just 30 minutes.
Production timeline
The road to Semi's volume production has been a long one. Equipment installation is currently underway at the Gigafactory Nevada. Despite some earlier delays, Tesla remains on track to begin volume production in the first half of 2026, the company says.
Pilot Travel Centers last month said it has inked a deal with Tesla to integrate Semi chargers into 20 sites across its sprawling fueling network. The rollout focuses on high-traffic corridors, including I-5 and I-10, stretching across five key states: California, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas.
