Tesla has shared some key updates on the Semi today through program lead Dan Priestley at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo. As the company nears the start of production at its new Semi factory in Nevada, Priestley revealed new details on the truck’s performance, battery efficiency, and dedicated charging infrastructure, highlighting years of development and real-world testing that have positioned the Semi for a major impact on the freight industry.
Test Fleet Proves Real-World Performance
Tesla’s Semi test fleet has already built an impressive real-world track record. According to Preistley, the fleet has collectively logged more than 7.9 million miles (12,713,818 km) in real-world conditions, with 26 units individually surpassing 100,000 miles (160,934 km).
This extensive testing has provided valuable insights into the Semi’s performance, durability, and reliability, all of which have helped Tesla improve and upgrade the design as full-scale production gets closer.
Upgrades in Efficiency and Driver Experience
Priestley highlighted several upgrades to the Semi platform aimed at improving both efficiency and driver comfort. Tesla’s latest Semi battery features a 7.3% improvement in energy efficiency while being lighter and cheaper to manufacture. Importantly, it retains the same long-haul range as previous iterations while using less energy overall. The new battery cells are produced domestically in the United States.
Tesla has also taken feedback from drivers into consideration, redesigning the mirrors and updating the side glass for improved visibility.
The Semi now also provides 25 kW of AC/DC power, enabling it to operate other equipment like refrigerated trailers, which traditionally relies on separate generators or the truck’s main engine, both powered by diesel.
Megacharger Network and Charging Innovations
To support its upcoming fleet, Tesla has plans to build a dedicated Megacharger network for the Semi, with initial plans calling for 46 public charging locations by early 2027. These will be concentrated mainly in the southern United States along high-traffic freight corridors across California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Georgia, with two sites also in Illinois. Tesla aims to ensure that the cost of charging is competitive with diesel, a critical factor for wide-scale fleet adoption.
According to Priestley, their new 1.2 MW Megacharger system features scalable architecture for single or multiple vehicles, and shares internal components with Tesla’s V4 passenger vehicle chargers. This integration enables Tesla to achieve cost efficiencies while improving power conversion performance compared to legacy semi-truck charging systems.
“This is a fully industrialized charging product that is shared with the Tesla passenger car business,” Priestley explained. “It allows us to leverage cost and value at scale.”
What’s Next?
With a validated design, significant real-world testing, and plans for comprehensive charging infrastructure, Tesla is entering the final stretch before full-scale Semi production. The company’s vertically integrated approach, from cell manufacturing to software and charging, positions the Tesla Semi to a compelling product to the long-haul trucking industry.
“Tesla is poised with a superior product, backed by robust infrastructure and scaling production,” said Priestley.
You can watch the full presentation below.
Presentation: pic.twitter.com/VSuo42jpb2
— S.E. Robinson, Jr. (@SERobinsonJr) April 29, 2025
