Tesla Semi launch recap: a 50,000-truck factory, two ranges and a line of customer trucks
Tesla launched the production Semi on September 24 at its new factory in Sparks, Nevada. What was announced: 325 and 500 mile versions, an 800 kW three-motor powertrain, a factory sized for 50,000 trucks a year, and customer trucks from PepsiCo, DHL, Einride and more.
The Tesla Semi had its launch night on September 24, at the new Semi factory in Sparks, Nevada, right next to Giga Nevada. It was invite-only, with a livestream at 9 p.m. ET, and it was less a reveal than a victory lap: the first truck came off the high-volume line in April, and the factory behind the stage is built to keep going. Our preview of the event covered the run-up. Here's what Tesla announced.
Two versions, one powertrain
The production Semi comes in two ranges, per Electrek's launch coverage:
- Standard Range: 325 miles.
- Long Range: 500 miles.
Both use an 800 kW three-motor powertrain. Not a Tesla App's recap says Tesla framed the Long Range figure as real-world loaded driving, which is the number fleet managers care about. For now every truck is white, and the paint is a new powder-coated finish.
Charging that fits a lunch break
Tesla showed a Megacharger taking a Semi from 0 to 60% in about 30 minutes, which recovers roughly 300 miles of highway range, according to Not a Tesla App. That's a driver's mandatory break turned into most of a day's driving.
The factory is the headline
The Sparks plant is built for 50,000 trucks a year once its lines reach full speed. TeslaNorth and Electrek both report that capacity figure. The building is about 1.7 million square feet, and it also builds a European-spec Semi on the same line. Not a Tesla App reports European deliveries are planned for 2027.
For comparison, the Semi spent years as a pilot program with PepsiCo, which has run trucks since late 2022. A dedicated 50,000-truck factory is what turns that pilot into a product line.
The customers on stage
At least 9 fleets had trucks at the event wearing their own logos, per Electrek: PepsiCo, US Foods, DHL, WattEV, ABF (ArcBest), Einride, IMC Logistics, OK Produce and LTS. The order book behind them is real:
- Einride placed a 500-truck order in August.
- IMC Logistics ordered 50 trucks for California port drayage.
- ZET SCALE, backed by Microsoft and PepsiCo, has ordered 2,500. We covered that one in the ZET SCALE order post.
Tesla didn't announce a price or a production rate. Those will be the numbers to watch as deliveries ramp through the rest of 2026. Our Semi mass production post has the background on the April start.
What's next
September has been a big month: the Cybercab started taking paying riders in Austin, the Semi launched on the 24th, and the Roadster reveal, first set for October 1, is now on October 15.
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