Tesla Semi enters volume production after years of delays

Tesla has commenced volume production of its battery-electric Semi truck at a new facility near its Gigafactory in Nevada. This marks a significant shift from previous delays and years of development. The Sparks, Nevada, plant is capable of producing 50,000 trucks annually, or approximately 1,000 per week, according to Tesla. The first vehicles from the new factory have already begun delivery to customers, following the initial delivery of a few units in 2022 built on a pilot line.

At the factory, Tesla showcased improvements to the Semi's battery, powertrain, and charging systems. The Standard Range version offers 325 miles of range with a full load, while the Long Range variant can reach up to 500 miles under similar conditions. With a lighter load, the Long Range model could potentially achieve around 600 miles.

The Long Range model is rated for 500 miles under the same conditions. Tesla executives revealed that the Long Range version could cover approximately 600 miles when carrying a lighter load of about 60,000 pounds.

Tesla's Semi uses the company's 4680 battery cells, as opposed to the 2170 cells found in earlier test vehicles. The Semi's battery pack has a capacity of 822 kWh. The company claims that it has managed to reduce the truck's energy consumption to around 1,700 watt-hours per mile when fully loaded, down from an initial target of 2,000 Wh/mile.

These efficiency improvements allow for a lighter battery pack without compromising the truck's range. Additionally, Tesla managed to reduce the truck's weight by nearly 1,000 pounds during the development process.

The redesigned drive system is another notable change. The production version features a steel-caged rotor and a bar-wound stator, which are also utilized in Tesla's Cybertruck. This modification results in an 80-kilogram reduction in weight compared to the earlier design. Furthermore, Tesla simplified the lubrication system, eliminating the need for oil in the hub and integrating the motor and gearbox into a single oil supply.

The Semi now employs redundant electric power steering, providing drivers with enhanced response and control while reducing the wheel cut radius to approach that of a Model Y, making it more maneuverable in crowded environments.

Charging infrastructure for the Semi remains a topic of discussion. A fully charged 822-kWh battery requires more power to charge compared to a conventional electric vehicle. Tesla is constructing Megacharger stations capable of delivering up to 1.2 megawatts per charging point. At the recent event, Tesla demonstrated a Semi charging from 3% to 60% in approximately 30 minutes.

The company aims to have over 30 Semi charging locations, with more than 200 megawatt-capable charging posts by the end of the year. Fleet operators are also encouraged to install overnight charging equipment at their facilities. Tesla positions the Semi as a fleet product, offering remote diagnostics, mobile service, over-the-air updates, and driver profiles that can travel between trucks.

The company emphasizes the potential cost savings of electric trucks due to lower maintenance requirements and reduced exposure to fuel price fluctuations.