Tesla has quietly updated the official specifications for its long-delayed all-electric Semi truck — and the numbers are now official. The Class 8 electric truck will launch in two configurations, Standard Range and Long Range, both delivering a combined 800 kW (1,073 hp) from three independent rear motors.
Mass production is scheduled to begin this year at Tesla’s new manufacturing facility in Nevada, marking a major milestone after years of delays.
Here’s what U.S. fleet operators need to know.
Tesla Semi Standard Range: 325 Miles at 82,000 lbs
The Standard Range version is rated for:
– 325 miles of range at 82,000 lbs gross vehicle weight
– Under 20,000 lbs tare weight
– 1.7 kWh per mile energy consumption
– 800 kW total output (three rear motors)
– Megawatt Charging System (MCS) compatibility
– 60% charge in 30 minutes
– Electric Power Take-Off (ePTO) up to 25 kW
That 82,000-lb figure is important. Under U.S. regulations, electric trucks are permitted to exceed the standard 80,000-lb Class 8 limit by 2,000 lbs to offset battery weight — a key advantage for EV adoption in freight.
Tesla Semi Long Range: 500 Miles and 1.2 MW Charging
The Long Range version pushes capability further:
– 500 miles of range
– 23,000 lbs tare weight
– 1.7 kWh per mile energy consumption
– 800 kW total output
– 1.2 MW peak charging speed
– MCS compatibility
– 60% charge in 30 minutes
– ePTO up to 25 kW
Tesla has not officially disclosed battery capacity, but industry estimates suggest the Long Range model likely carries a pack close to 900 kWh.
Notably, Tesla previously completed a 500-mile demonstration run in 2022 with a fully loaded 82,000-lb Semi — a key validation point for long-haul operators.
Payload: How Competitive Is the Tesla Semi?
Based on the published tare weights and assuming a typical trailer weight of approximately 14,000 lbs, estimated payload capacity comes out to:
– ~48,000 lbs (Standard Range)
– ~45,000 lbs (Long Range)
That translates to roughly 20–21 tons of freight, placing the Semi squarely in competitive territory for regional and long-haul applications.
For comparison, European competitors like the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 offer payloads around 22 metric tons under EU weight regulations. However, U.S. regulatory frameworks and freight profiles differ, making direct comparisons imperfect.
Design Updates and Manufacturing Plans
The specs refer to the revised Semi unveiled during Tesla’s annual meeting last November. Updates include a redesigned chassis, updated headlight design and improved aerodynamics.
Production is taking place at Tesla’s new facility in Nevada, with broader deliveries expected once full-scale manufacturing ramps up.
So far, only limited pre-production units have been deployed. The most notable customer deployment is at PepsiCo, which operates 36 Semi trucks in California.
Pricing Still a Big Question Mark
Tesla has yet to confirm updated pricing.
Back in 2017, Tesla announced:
– $150,000 for the base model
– $180,000 for the longer-range version
– $200,000 for the Founders Series
Given inflation, battery cost trends, and supply chain realities, final pricing will be a major factor in fleet adoption.
The Real Test: Volume Production
The Tesla Semi was originally scheduled for production in 2019. Since then, the program has been defined more by delays than deliveries.
Now, with official specifications published and Nevada production coming online, Tesla faces its biggest challenge yet: scaling output and delivering trucks in real volume.
If the company can deliver on its promises — especially on operating cost reductions versus diesel — the Semi could significantly reshape the U.S. Class 8 market.
Because in freight, performance matters — but cost per mile wins.
[source: Tesla]
