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Tesla Semi Rollout Begins at Nevada Factory

Tesla Semi Rollout Begins at Nevada Factory. Source: Mariordo (Mario Roberto Duran Ortiz), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tesla is preparing to roll out its Semi electric trucks late Thursday during the inauguration of its production facility in Sparks, Nevada, nearly nine years after CEO Elon Musk first unveiled the heavy-duty vehicle.

The Tesla Semi, designed for long-haul freight operations, offers a range of up to 500 miles. Musk introduced the electric Class 8 truck in 2017, with production initially targeted for 2019. Years of delays followed, although the first truck from Tesla’s high-volume production line was completed in April.

Tesla previously expected volume production to begin this year, but its July shareholder letter shifted the timeline, saying Semi production would start in 2026.

The electric truck gives Tesla an opportunity to expand beyond its core electric sedan and SUV business into the commercial freight market. The launch comes as U.S. diesel prices have climbed to record levels, potentially increasing interest in electric alternatives among fleet operators.

Tesla began limited Semi deliveries in late 2022, with PepsiCo among its early U.S. customers. However, production delays, stronger competition and changes in U.S. electric vehicle policies have raised questions about future demand.

Recent orders could provide momentum. Tesla this week secured an order for 2,500 Semi trucks from a coalition of major cargo-owning companies, including Microsoft and PepsiCo, according to clean transportation nonprofit Catalyst Mobility. The organization said the order is nearly twice the size of the existing U.S. fleet of electric Class 8 trucks.

Swedish freight technology company Einride AB also announced last month that it plans to add 500 Tesla Semi trucks to its fleet.

Tesla has previously said its Nevada Semi factory is designed for annual production capacity of up to 50,000 trucks. Investors and Tesla enthusiasts are now watching the Nevada event for more information about the Semi production ramp, vehicle pricing and additional major customers as the EV maker pushes deeper into commercial trucking.

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