Tesla Opens Nevada Semi Plant for 2,500-Truck Order Push

3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Sep 24

Sparks, Nevada, is now home to Tesla’s first high-volume Semi factory, marking its clearest move yet into heavy-duty electric trucking after limited deliveries began in 2022.
2,500 trucks from coalition ZET SCALE and 500 more from Einride give the plant early demand support as Tesla tries to exploit high diesel costs and offset tougher competition in its core EV business.
500 miles of claimed range for the long-haul Semi — versus 325 miles for the standard version — remains Tesla’s main sales pitch for now, alongside its charging network.
Musk has said Full Self-Driving for the Semi could arrive around late 2026 or early 2027, but rivals Aurora and Kodiak are already testing driverless trucks and hauling cargo.
Europe is the next target, where Volvo and Daimler Truck already sell battery-powered models in a market where trucks are under 10% of vehicles but generate nearly half of transport air pollution.