Tesla Begins Mass Production of Electric Semi Trucks: Features, Availability, and Price

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - After a long wait since its introduction in 2017, Tesla finally announced the start of mass production of the Tesla Semi electric truck.

This significant milestone was reached on April 29, 2026, marking a new chapter in the company's efforts to revolutionize the heavy-duty cargo transportation industry with more sustainable solutions.

High-volume production of the Tesla Semi is centered at a new 1.7 million-square-foot manufacturing facility located at Gigafactory Nevada in Sparks.

Construction on this state-of-the-art factory began in 2023, with the production line installation completed in the first quarter of 2026, ready to meet growing market demand.

First Semi off high volume line pic.twitter.com/fI1AdQrJFH

— Tesla Semi (@tesla_semi) April 29, 2026

The new Tesla Semi manufacturing facility at Gigafactory Nevada is designed to achieve impressive production capacity.

Once fully operational, the factory is planned to be able to produce up to 50,000 Semi trucks annually, demonstrating Tesla's ambitious approach to the electric truck market.

For 2026, Tesla targets deliveries of between 5,000 and 15,000 Semi trucks to customers.

Construction of this factory represents a significant investment by Tesla, which began in 2023.

The Tesla Semi's manufacturing process integrates several innovative technologies to optimize efficiency and speed.

The factory utilizes a 3D overhead logistics system, modular parallel assembly, and in-house integration of 4680 batteries, addressing supply constraints that have been challenging in the past.

Integrating 4680 battery production at the same location as truck assembly is a strategic move.

The batteries are not only the power source but also the truck's core architecture, with three battery packs positioned low between the axles to lower the center of gravity.

Each Semi truck is extensively tested under megawatt-level charging (approximately 1.2 MW) to validate thermal management and connector durability.

The Tesla Semi comes in two primary configurations to meet diverse transportation needs: Standard Range and Long Range.

The Standard Range offers a range of approximately 325 miles (approximately 523 km), while the Long Range can travel up to 500 miles (approximately 800 km) on a single charge.

The truck has a combined gross tonnage (GCW) of 82,000 pounds (approximately 37.2 tons) and is powered by three independent motors on the rear axle, producing up to 800 kW (approximately 1,073 horsepower).

The battery system uses 4680 cells with a capacity of approximately 550 kWh for the Standard Range and 875 kWh for the Long Range.

With an energy consumption of 1.7 kWh per mile, the Tesla Semi can charge up to 60% of its range in just 30 minutes using a 1.2 MW Megacharger.

Other features include Electric Power Take-Off (ePTO) of up to 25 kW, electric power steering, reinforced Cybertruck actuators, and a 48-volt architecture.

While the Tesla Semi's starting price is higher than that of conventional diesel trucks, it remains competitive in the electric truck segment.

The Standard Range variant is priced at around $260,000, while the Long Range is around $290,000, making it one of the most affordable Class 8 electric truck options on the US market.

Significantly, the Tesla Semi is priced around $100,000 lower than competing battery-electric trucks like Daimler's Freightliner eCascadia, which is priced at over $400,000, or Volvo's electric trucks, which range from $276,000 to over $440,000.

Fuel costs are estimated at just 15-25 cents per mile, significantly lower than comparable diesel trucks, which cost 50-70 cents per mile.