Tesla unloads new Semi details: variants, efficiency, fleet data so far

The Tesla Semi program is arguably one of the most intriguing within the scope of the company in recent memory. But it’s only getting started.

During the IAA Transport Show in Germany today, the Semi’s Head of Engineering, Dan Priestley, unloaded tons of new details on the vehicle, including plans to leverage several different variants of the electric truck, how its efficiency stacks up, and various Easter eggs that the company has discovered through its fleet operation thus far.

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Tesla Semi Configurations

Priestly said Tesla will develop several configurations of the Semi so that they can be purchased according to the buyer’s needs.

Thanks to Tesla’s vertical integration, manufacturing will be simple.

Mass production at the new Semi factory near Giga Nevada will scale to 50,000 units annually.

Priestley said:

“We aim to be as competitive at an upfront price with diesel as possible, in order to accelerate the adoption of electric trucks as quickly as we can. Again, this is on lock for Tesla’s deep vertical integration, and we will plan to leverage this into multiple variants…We will be taking on a wide variety of applications and vehicle types.”

Tesla Semi Efficiency

Tesla, along with the companies that have been operating the vehicle in their pilot programs, have routinely flexed the efficiency of the Semi.

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But Priestley said today at the conference that common industry numbers are approaching 100 kWh per 100 kilometers traveled.

The Semi has already achieved this.

It will only get better when Tesla comes back with a high-volume version of the Semi. Higher efficiency means lower battery mass and cost, meaning a less expensive product and more advantages for the customer.

Fleet Data

Despite the Tesla Semi being a vehicle that is relatively new and only has operated on a very controlled basis, only being delivered to a handful of companies.

Here are some of the stats Tesla has logged so far for the fleet:

• Over 4.65 million miles have been driven since the Tesla Semi pilot test fleet started operation
• One Tesla Semi unit has over 248,000 miles driven — it took only 18 months to get to this point
• The fleet has a 95 percent uptime — this includes scheduled and unscheduled maintenance

The full presentation can be watched below:

Here is the full keynote speech of the Tesla Semi program lead @danWpriestley which just took place in the IAA in Hannover Germany.

Welcome to Europe, @Tesla!
The Semi is incredible. pic.twitter.com/UPYKkwDVeO

— Jaan of the EV Universe (@TheEVuniverse) September 17, 2024

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