Tesla’s electric Semi truck is finally hitting the global market, with production poised to scale up significantly. This announcement comes amid ongoing skepticism surrounding the truck’s ambitious 500-mile range and autonomous capabilities, but recent third-party tests have begun to silence those doubts.
Elon Musk confirmed the global launch via social media, stating, “Tesla Semi will be available worldwide.” While many initially questioned the feasibility of a class 8 truck with such a long range, independent trials conducted by organizations like DHL and reported by Electrek have offered compelling evidence supporting Tesla’s claims. These tests are crucial for building trust in the truck’s autonomous features, which will play a key role in its success.
The Tesla Semi program, initially slated for production in 2019, experienced significant delays. However, volume production is now set to commence, with Tesla currently operating a small assembly line near its Gigafactory in Nevada. To accommodate mass production, Tesla is constructing a second plant adjacent to the existing facility, aiming to scale up production in 2025 with a target of manufacturing up to 50,000 trucks annually.
The global launch of the Tesla Semi comes at a time when Tesla is facing scrutiny following a recent crash involving the vehicle. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred on August 19th in California. Despite this, logistics providers like NFI Industries and beverage giant PepsiCo are moving forward with plans to integrate the Tesla Semi into their operations. NFI Industries recently reported successful trials with routes ranging from 250 to 450 miles, while PepsiCo has already integrated 50 Tesla Semi trucks into its fleet alongside other electric vehicles.
Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest has set a new price target of $2,600 for Tesla by 2029, fueled by the company’s ambitious autonomous vehicle goals. The Tesla Semi, with its long range and potential for autonomous operation, is a key part of this vision, aiming to revolutionize the trucking industry. As Tesla scales up production and the Semi hits the road in more markets, the world will be watching to see how this groundbreaking electric truck performs and if it can live up to its promises.