Tesla officially inaugurated its Semi factory in Sparks, Nevada, on Thursday evening, revealing several previously undisclosed upgrades to its redesigned electric truck.
Beyond the exterior changes and efficiency improvements already announced, Tesla has made significant changes under the hood that should make the Semi cheaper to build, more efficient, and better suited for long-haul trucking.
One of the biggest changes is the Semi’s upgraded electric motors, which now feature a steel-caged rotor and bar-wound stator, sharing the same design found in the Cybertruck.
Another significant change is the introduction of fully electric steering. Tesla says the Semi is the first heavy-duty truck to eliminate hydraulic steering entirely, a move the company says lays the “groundwork for future autonomy.”
The best part is no part – Semi is the first heavy-duty truck with electric steering, eliminating hydraulic compressors & fluids (which leak & require service)
— Tesla Semi (@tesla_semi) September 25, 2026
It's lighter, quieter, more precise & redundant by design
This also lays the groundwork for future autonomy pic.twitter.com/ao2K0vNqAo
The redesigned Semi also introduces a new thermal management system called the Megamanifold, which uses a heat pump to manage temperatures in both the cabin and powertrain. Tesla says the same technology is used in the Cybercab.
This could be particularly beneficial for Canadian operators, where maintaining cabin comfort and battery temperatures during harsh winters can consume significant amounts of energy.
Megamanifold is our next gen heat pump that runs cabin HVAC & all powertrain heating & cooling at once.
— Tesla Semi (@tesla_semi) September 25, 2026
Unlike diesel trucks where heat generated by the engine is lost, Semi can draw excess heat from the powertrain to keep the driver comfortable pic.twitter.com/bXlsOxKkz5
Inside the cab, Tesla has added acoustic glass to reduce road noise, along with a roll-down window, addressing a practical feature missing from earlier versions of the truck.
Drivers will also benefit from automated pre-trip inspections and integrated electronic logs (e-logs), helping simplify two routine but essential parts of commercial trucking.
Semi drives like a Tesla
— Tesla Semi (@tesla_semi) September 25, 2026
Acoustic glass for a quiet cabin, a roll-down window & a cabin you can stand up in, with visibility you don't get in a diesel
To make drivers' jobs easier, we've automated parts of the pre-trip inspection & can provide electronic logs when those checks… pic.twitter.com/UmyTHHOYpX
Tesla also provided more detail about the switch from 2170 battery cells to their in-house 4680 cells. According to Tesla, the larger cells reduce the weight of the battery pack without sacrificing range, while also lowering production costs.
For a heavy-duty truck, reducing battery weight is particularly important. Every kilogram saved can potentially translate into additional payload capacity, making the Semi more competitive with traditional diesel trucks.
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