It’s been years since the Tesla Semi was unveiled in a spectacular presentation at the end of 2017. However, it is not yet being mass-produced. But that should change in 2026.
• Tesla Semi is scheduled to go into series production in 2026
• Specifications for two variants revealed
• Electrification of heavy-duty transport ahead?
After years of delays, shifts in priorities and problems with battery availability, 2026 is finally set to be the year in which the Tesla Semi electric truck goes into mass production. The CEO announced that Elon Musk on his short message service X, but without being more specific about the schedule.
Tesla Semi starts high volume production this year https://t.co/yZLDmkA9EP
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 8, 2026
The electric semi-trailer truck is manufactured in a specially built production facility in Nevada, in the immediate vicinity of the Gigafactory, where battery cells and drive components are also manufactured. According to Dataconomy, Tesla is aiming for a capacity of 50,000 units per year once the production ramp-up is complete. So far, the semi truck has only been produced in small quantities and delivered to pilot customers such as PepsiCo.
Two variants of the Tesla Semi planned
Tesla also announced on the company website that deliveries of the Semi to customers would begin in 2026. In addition, specific specifications can also be found there. As a result, the Semi is offered in two versions: a standard range version with a range of around 325 miles (around 523 kilometers) and a long range version with around 500 miles (around 805 kilometers).
In both versions, the electric truck is powered by three independent electric motors on the rear axles. The maximum drive power is given as around 800 kilowatts, which corresponds to around 1,088 hp. For a 40-ton truck, these are values that are impressive not only in the electric segment, but also in comparison to conventional diesel tractors. According to the “Deutsche Verkehrs-Zeitung”, a typical semi-trailer truck in European long-distance transport has an average engine output of 450 to 500 hp.
Tesla puts the Semi’s energy consumption at around 1.7 kilowatt hours per mile under load, but the electric car manufacturer does not comment on the exact battery capacity. However, the electric truck is designed for the so-called Megawatt Charging System (MCS) and should be able to achieve charging outputs of up to 1.2 megawatts in the long-range version. However, according to the company, up to 60 percent of the battery capacity can be recharged in around 30 minutes in both versions.
Despite the announced start of mass production, Tesla has not yet communicated prices for the Tesla Semi on its website. According to “electrek”, however, a customer offer shows that the long-range variant will cost $290,000 – before delivery costs and taxes. The standard version is said to be around $260,000. When the electric truck was originally announced in 2017, Tesla had promised a price of around $200,000, but there were repeated reports that the Semi would be significantly more expensive. In some cases last year there was even talk of a unit price of around 417,000 US dollars.
For fleet operators, however, the total cost of ownership is ultimately crucial. Tesla argues here with lower energy costs, reduced maintenance costs and potentially longer service life of the drive train.
Exactly https://t.co/IKktDIh6CL
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 8, 2026
In combination with increasing CO2 taxes, stricter emissions regulations and support programs for zero-emission commercial vehicles, the Semi could be economically attractive for companies despite the higher price – especially on fixed routes with predictable charging infrastructure.
Strategic importance for Tesla
For Tesla, the Semi is more than just another model. It exemplifies the ambition to electrify not only the passenger car market, but also heavy-duty transport. If the production ramp-up finally succeeds, Tesla would move into a segment that has so far been dominated by established manufacturers such as Daimler Truck, Volvo or Scania.
However, it still remains to be seen whether Tesla will actually stick to the current schedule, after all, the electric car manufacturer has a long history of broken promises – including with the Semi. According to the original announcement, series production was actually supposed to begin in 2019. However, there is a big consolation for patient investors who bet on Tesla shares based on the very first Semi announcement and have been waiting for mass production: Tesla shares have increased in price by around 1,904 percent since the Semi was first presented on November 16, 2017 (as of February 13, 2026).
Editorial team finanzen.net
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