Tesla introduced the Semi heavy-duty electric truck at its Gigafactory in Nevada, presenting a vehicle built for long-distance freight and backed by megawatt-class charging. CEO Elon Musk appeared in a prerecorded video to outline the truck’s main features and advantages.
Two versions with different range targets
Tesla said the Semi will be offered in a long-range version and a standard version. The long-range model can travel 500 miles on a single charge while fully loaded at 82,000 pounds, or about 36,000 kilograms. The standard version is rated for 325 miles, or about 520 kilometers.
The truck uses 4680 battery cells, which Tesla said are intended to improve energy density and reduce total cost of ownership. The cab has also been updated based on feedback from early fleet testing, with adjustable windows, sound insulation, and personalized seat and interface settings available through mobile devices.
Musk points to performance and future autonomy
Musk said the Semi delivers strong performance and compared the driving feel to a Tesla sports car in truck form. He also said the vehicle is expected to integrate autonomous driving functions in the future, with the goal of improving safety and comfort for long-haul drivers and helping them arrive in better condition.
Trip planner adjusts for weather, traffic, and payload
Tesla said the Semi’s trip planner is designed to reduce range anxiety by providing real-time updates during a drive. The system continuously factors in weather and traffic conditions to adjust route guidance and expected range.
Because payloads can vary from one shift to another, the trip planner also adjusts estimates dynamically based on the truck’s current load. If the system determines that charging is required to reach the destination, it can automatically connect the vehicle to Mega-Charger stations along the route.
Mega-Charger supports up to 1.2 megawatts
On charging infrastructure, Tesla said its Mega-Charger system supports charging power of up to 1.2 megawatts. For fleet operations, operators can choose 125-kilowatt base chargers for overnight charging or use higher-power chargers for frequent shift rotations.
Tesla said the onboard trip planning system combines live weather, road, and dynamic payload data to update range estimates and automatically map out charging stops.
Pilot program logged 17.5 million miles
Before full-scale production, Tesla said a pilot program deployed nearly 200 vehicles and accumulated 17.5 million miles across snow, rain, high heat, and steep grades. The company said those operating results validated the truck’s durability across different environments and served as a basis for final production design optimization.
ABMedia said in the original report that Tesla is rolling out the Semi as diesel prices remain elevated globally, with the product positioned around long-haul logistics and operating-cost transition needs.