Tesla has launched its first dedicated factory for high-volume production of the Semi, a heavy-duty electric truck, in Sparks, Nevada.
Key facts
- •Tesla's Semi was first introduced in 2017, with limited hand-built deliveries to PepsiCo beginning in 2022.
- •The new production facility in Sparks, Nevada, aims for a capacity of 50,000 trucks per year.
- •Tesla confirmed two production trims: a Standard Range version with 325 miles and a Long Range version with 500 miles of range.
- •The industry coalition ZET SCALE has placed an initial order for 2,500 Semi trucks.
- •Tesla's stock price has declined 16% so far in 2026.
Tesla officially opened a new factory in Sparks, Nevada, dedicated to the high-volume production of its heavy-duty electric Semi truck. The company, which first unveiled the vehicle in 2017, held a ribbon-cutting event on Thursday to mark the transition from limited pilot production to full-scale manufacturing. CEO Elon Musk, who was attending a state dinner in Washington, D.C., addressed the audience via a pre-recorded video, describing the truck as a breakthrough product for heavy shipping.
By the numbers
Production Goals and Facility Capacity
The new facility, located adjacent to Tesla's existing Gigafactory Nevada, is designed to reach an annual production capacity of 50,000 trucks, or approximately 1,000 units per week. According to Dan Priestley, director of Semi truck engineering, the company expects to create more than 3,000 jobs during the production ramp-up period. Tesla has spent the last three years refining the vehicle's design, including reducing its weight by nearly 1,000 pounds.
Customer Orders and Market Outlook
Tesla announced a list of customers for the Semi, including PepsiCo, US Foods, DHL, WattEV, ABF, Einride, IMC, and OK Produce. The industry coalition ZET SCALE recently selected Tesla as its primary original equipment manufacturer for an initial order of 2,500 trucks. Additionally, the trucking firm Einride has agreed to purchase 500 units. While Tesla does not officially list a price, the International Council on Clean Transportation has reported that long-range versions are priced at approximately $290,000.
Timeline
- 2017Tesla first unveiled the Semi in concept form.
- 2022Tesla began limited deliveries of hand-built trucks to early customers like PepsiCo.
- February 2026Tesla revealed the final production design for the Semi.
- April 2026The first production unit rolled off the line at the new facility.
- May 2026Tesla held an official ribbon-cutting event for the new factory.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by CNBC Technology, The Verge.
