Electromobili

The Tesla Semi, Tesla’s all-electric Class 8 truck, has seen significant developments in recent weeks as the company ramps up its production efforts. Below is a summary of the latest news based on recent reports and updates:
Production Ramp-Up in Nevada
Tesla is accelerating its Semi production, with plans to begin manufacturing the first units by the end of 2025 at its Gigafactory in Sparks, Nevada. The company has hired over 1,000 new workers to support this effort, a significant increase from the fewer than 100 workers previously assigned to the program, including those at its California pilot line. The Nevada facility is designed to produce up to 50,000 units annually, with volume production targeted for 2026. Tesla recently opened a dedicated extension at the Gigafactory for Semi production, signaling a major commitment to fulfilling long-delayed orders.

First Tesla Semi at Port of Los Angeles
On Earth Day 2025, the Port of Los Angeles saw the deployment of its first Tesla Semi, operated by Lincoln Transportation Services. Denson White, Chief Commercial Officer at APM Terminals at Pier 400, highlighted the milestone, emphasizing the truck’s role in sustainable logistics. This deployment marks a step toward integrating the Semi into real-world commercial operations, particularly in high-traffic logistics hubs.
New Tesla Semi X Account and Updates
Tesla launched an official X account for the Tesla Semi (@tesla_semi
), which made its first post captioned “Big truck energy.” The account aims to share updates on the Semi’s progress. Additionally, Tesla released a keynote video detailing advancements, including the Megacharger network, a new battery design, an electric power take-off (e-PTO) system, and production milestones. The video reaffirmed Tesla’s commitment to starting production by year-end and scaling up in 2026.
Challenges and Delays
Despite the progress, the Tesla Semi program has faced hurdles. Initially unveiled in 2017 with a promised production start in 2019, the program has been delayed multiple times. Recent reports indicate further setbacks, with early customer Ryder noting additional delays and a “dramatic” price increase. While Tesla originally quoted prices of $150,000 for a 300-mile range model and $180,000 for a 500-mile version, speculation suggests costs may now range between $250,000 and $300,000, potentially limiting its market impact unless higher-volume production reduces prices.

Tariff Disruptions
Tesla’s plans to ship components from China for the Semi have been suspended due to U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, part of a broader trade war under President Donald Trump. These tariffs have disrupted Tesla’s supply chain, delaying trial production originally planned for October 2025 and mass production in 2026. The duration of this suspension remains unclear, posing a risk to Tesla’s production timeline.

Performance and Market Position
The Tesla Semi boasts a range of up to 500 miles, nearly double that of competing electric semi-trucks, and can recharge to 70% capacity in about 30 minutes using Tesla’s Megachargers. Tesla claims the truck is designed for future autonomous operation, though this feature is not yet available. About 200 Semis have been delivered to customers like PepsiCo, which ordered 100 units in 2017. However, Tesla’s focus on scaling production comes amid challenges, including a 13% drop in overall vehicle deliveries in Q1 2025 and a nearly 48% decline in stock value this year, partly attributed to consumer backlash against CEO Elon Musk’s political activities.

Sentiment on X
Posts on X reflect excitement about the Semi’s potential, with users highlighting the hiring of 83 workers for production roles and the truck’s deployment at the Port of Los Angeles. Some call the Semi a “sleeping giant” in Tesla’s lineup, emphasizing its revolutionary potential for the trucking industry. However, skepticism persists due to repeated delays and rising costs.
Conclusion
Tesla is making tangible progress on the Semi, with significant hiring, a dedicated factory extension, and real-world deployments like the Port of Los Angeles pilot. However, supply chain disruptions from tariffs, reported price hikes, and a history of delays temper optimism. The Semi’s 500-mile range and advanced features position it as a leader in the electric trucking space, but Tesla must overcome logistical and market challenges to deliver on its promise of revolutionizing the industry. For the latest updates, follow @tesla_semi
on X or visit tesla.com/semi.