Tesla Semi to Begin High-Volume Production in 2026

Tesla says the Semi will enter mass production in 2026, offering 325- and 500-mile versions with updated specs. Read the full breakdown.

Tesla may finally be ready to deliver on one of its longest-running promises: the Tesla Semi is now expected to enter high-volume production in 2026. Elon Musk made the announcement in a post on X, stating that the electric Class 8 truck “starts high volume production this year.”

Musk’s statement aligns with a recent update to Tesla’s official Semi webpage, which now displays the message “Deliveries start in 2026” and includes what appear to be final production specifications.

According to Tesla, the Semi will launch in two versions. The Standard Range model is rated for 325 miles when fully loaded, based on a gross combination weight of 82,000 pounds. Tesla claims the truck itself weighs under 20,000 pounds, which would leave an estimated payload capacity of around 62,000 pounds. Power comes from a tri-motor setup with three independent motors on the rear axles delivering a combined 800 kW (1,072 hp).

The Long Range variant is aimed at longer routes, with an estimated range of 500 miles on a single charge. Despite the larger battery, Tesla lists the same 800 kW drive system and identical energy consumption of 1.7 kWh per mile. The trade-off comes in weight: curb weight rises to roughly 23,000 pounds, reducing payload to about 59,000 pounds. Tesla still has not confirmed battery capacity, though the efficiency figure suggests a pack in the neighborhood of 900 kWh.

Charging performance appears to be identical across both versions. Tesla says the Semi can reach 60% state of charge in 30 minutes using the Megawatt Charging System (MCS 3.2), with peak charging capability of up to 1.2 MW at a Tesla Megacharger. Both trims also support an Electric Power Take Off (ePTO) rated at up to 25 kW, allowing the truck to supply high-voltage power for auxiliary equipment such as hydraulic pumps or heating and cooling systems.

While the Semi has been discussed for nearly a decade, it is not entirely new to the road. Tesla began limited production in late 2022, delivering the first units to PepsiCo as part of a pilot program. Since then, other companies—including Walmart and DHL Supply Chain—have reportedly taken delivery of at least one Semi, though Tesla has not disclosed detailed production figures.

Pricing remains one of the biggest unknowns. When Tesla first unveiled the Semi in 2017, it projected prices of $150,000 for the 300-mile version and $180,000 for the 500-mile model. Nearly ten years later, the industry widely expects those numbers to have changed significantly. A hint came from Ryder, which reduced its Semi order from 42 to 18 trucks while maintaining a $7.5 million commitment, citing “dramatic changes to the Tesla product economics”—a move that strongly suggests a substantial price increase.

If Tesla follows through with mass production in 2026, it could mark a turning point for heavy-duty electric trucking. Unlike earlier announcements that repeatedly slipped, the Semi now comes with specific delivery timing and detailed final specifications. The real test, however, will come once customers begin receiving trucks at scale—and once Tesla reveals how much the long-awaited electric hauler will actually cost.