Nearly a Decade in the Making

Tesla first unveiled the Semi back in 2017, originally targeting production for 2019. That timeline slipped repeatedly as the company prioritized battery-cell supply for its passenger vehicles, and limited US deliveries to customers like PepsiCo didn't begin until late 2022. Europe has been "coming" in some form since Tesla brought a truck to IAA Transportation 2024 without committing to a market plan.

This time is different. Volume manufacturing officially began on April 29, 2026, at a dedicated facility next to Gigafactory Nevada, targeting an annual capacity of more than 50,000 trucks. With US production scaled, Tesla is now turning outward — and IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover, running September 15-20, is where it's putting real numbers on the table.

European-Spec Semi: What's Confirmed

Pricing has not yet been announced for Europe. In the US, Tesla lists the Long Range Semi at $290,000 and the Standard Range at roughly $260,000 — currently the lowest-priced Class 8 battery-electric tractor on that market.

Walking Into a Crowded Market

Unlike the passenger EV space, where Tesla arrived early, the Semi is landing in a European heavy-truck market that's already thick with battery-electric competition. Volvo, Scania, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, DAF, and Renault all sell electric semis on the continent today, several with years of fleet operating history and established dealer and service networks. Tesla's pitch will likely lean on its Megacharger network and the Semi's US operating record — including PepsiCo's full-load, fast-charging deployment — rather than being first to market.

What Happens Next

Tesla says full specs, pricing tiers, availability timelines, and the order process for European fleet operators will be unveiled at IAA Transportation in Hannover next week, with a Semi on display at the show. That announcement — not this week's spec reveal — is expected to be the real starting gun for European sales.

After nearly ten years of "coming soon," the Tesla Semi finally has real European numbers attached to it. Whether 550 km of range and Megacharger speed are enough to win over fleets already running Volvo and Scania electrics will be the story to watch once Hannover's full details land.