Almost a decade ago, Tesla unveiled the Semi as its answer to diesel-powered trucking. PepsiCo took delivery of the first trucks in 2022, but the rollout remained limited. The first Semi didn’t roll off Tesla’s new high-volume production line until this April. Now deliveries from its dedicated Nevada factory are beginning, and the question is how many trucks it can actually put on the road.

At an event Thursday night in Sparks, Nevada, Tesla presented trucks wearing the logos of PepsiCo, DHL, and US Foods. Executives said deliveries to an initial group of customers were beginning, Reuters reports. Tesla didn’t disclose a price, a current production rate, or a delivery target for the year. It reiterated that the plant is intended to build 50,000 Semis annually, but gave no date for reaching that level.

More: Tesla Just Set A Date For The Semi’s European Debut

It’s a real step forward, though hardly the Semi’s first delivery. PepsiCo began receiving trucks in late 2022, three years after Tesla originally expected production to start. The difference now is the dedicated factory, which is supposed to take the Semi beyond the limited rollout seen so far. Tesla said in April that the first truck had come off its high-volume line. Its July shareholder update, however, described Semi production as beginning in 2026 and dropped an earlier forecast for volume production this year.

Tesla claims the loaded long-range Semi can cover 500 miles (805 km) on a charge, while a standard-range version is rated for 325 miles (523 km). Dan Priestley, Tesla’s director of Semi truck engineering, said customers had validated the 500-mile figure in use. The company’s Semi page lists energy consumption of 1.7 kWh per mile. That’s an impressive figure considering the size and weight of the vehicle.

The good news for Tesla is that despite apparent delays, there’s still demand. The same report says a shipper coalition placed an order for 2,500 Semis this week, while freight technology company Einride announced plans last month to add 500 Semis to its fleet. Orders and factory capacity sound great. Deliveries will be the one figure that shows whether Tesla can finally make good on the Semi’s long-delayed rollout.

Photos: Tesla

It’s taken the scenic route, but Tesla’s Semi is finally getting serious about Europe. The electric truck will appear at September’s IAA Transportation show in Hanover, Germany, where Tesla says it’ll reveal specifications and launch details for the European version, possibly setting up a 2027 arrival.

Tesla confirmed the news on X this week, writing, “Specs & launch details for Semi in Europe to be unveiled at IAA Transportation in Hannover, Germany”. The show runs from September 15 through 20 and is widely regarded as the world’s most important commercial vehicle expo.

Related: First Tesla Semi Fatal Crash Kills Two At A Nevada Red Light

First revealed in 2017, the Semi began working in America in 2022. European availability, however, has remained a question mark until now. And what Europeans will actually get still remains unknown. In the US, the Semi comes in Standard Range and Long Range forms. The base version is good for 325 miles (523 km), while the latter stretches that to 500 miles (805 km). Both use three electric motors producing up to 1,073 hp (1,088 PS / 800 kW).

To achieve those range figures requires colossal batteries: 548 kWh in the Standard Range trucks and 822 kWh in the Long Range model. Trying to top them up with even a 250kW car charger would take forever, so the Semi can charge at up to 1.2 MW, potentially stuffing substantial energy back in during a simple coffee and bathroom stop.

Rivals Are Ready And Waiting

Europe hasn’t been standing by, helplessly waiting for Tesla to revolutionize trucking. Established manufacturers already sell battery-powered heavy trucks, including Mercedes’ eActros 600, which claims up to 348 miles (560 km) from a 621 kWh battery. Full comparisons will have to wait until the Euro Semi tech specs are revealed in September.

Tesla switched from pilot builds to full-scale production of the facelifted Semi at its Nevada facility in April of this year, and hopes to crank out 50,000 units annually when it’s up to speed. The Standard Range costs $260,000 (equivalent to €222k) and the Long Range around $300,000 ($257k), but after taxes the prices could be higher in Europe, where the eActros 600 costs around €300-400,000 ($350-470k).

Specs & launch details for Semi in Europe to be unveiled at IAA Transportation in Hannover, Germany pic.twitter.com/eEXNUU2Y39

— Tesla Semi (@tesla_semi) August 20, 2026

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