Tesla’s Semi battery specifications have been confirmed in a new regulatory filing. The figures are painting a much clearer picture of just how competitive the electric truck could become against traditional diesel-powered freight haulers.
According the filing with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the Long Range variant packs an 822kWh usable battery capacity. The Standard Range Semi carries a 548kWh battery pack. Both trims use Tesla’s 4680 NMCA battery cells and support charging speeds up to 1.2MW through Tesla’s Megacharger network. (h/t: @SawyerMerritt)
The Long Range Semi is rated for 500 miles (805km) of range at a fully loaded 82,000 lb gross combination weight, while the Standard Range version delivers 325 miles (523km) under the same conditions.
Tesla Semi Efficiency Figures Stand Out
While the battery sizes themselves are significant, the real headline may be the efficiency figures hidden within those numbers.
Based on the disclosed usable capacities and rated ranges, the 500-mile Tesla Semi achieves approximately 1.644kWh per mile, while the 325-mile version comes in at roughly 1.686kWh per mile. For a fully loaded Class 8 commercial truck, those figures are remarkably efficient.
These aren’t theoretical figures, as real-world testing confirms the Semi can achieve, and even exceed these ratings.
Charging Costs Could Dramatically Undercut Diesel
That level of efficiency could have major implications for the trucking industry, particularly as fuel costs continue to rise. Based on the Semi Long Range’s 822kWh usable battery capacity, charging the truck from 10% to 80% would require roughly 575kWh of electricity. At a high-end California electricity rate of around US$0.45/kWh, that would cost approximately US$260.
However, most large commercial and industrial fleet operators pay significantly lower electricity rates, often closer to US$0.15 to US$0.25/kWh depending on utility agreements, demand charges, and charging schedules. At those rates, the same 10% to 80% charging session could cost between roughly US$86 and US$144.
Compared to diesel trucks that can burn hundreds of dollars in fuel daily, Tesla’s Semi has a huge operating cost advantage.
Tesla Semi Production Has Finally Started
Tesla first unveiled the Semi in 2017, but production delays pushed deliveries back nearly a decade as as the company focused on scaling its 4680 battery program and expanding manufacturing capacity. Now, with high-volume production officially underway at Tesla’s dedicated Semi factory near Giga Nevada, the program is finally entering its commercial phase.
The company has already secured several high-profile fleet customers, including PepsiCo, Walmart, Costco, and WattEV, which recently announced plans to deploy 370 Tesla Semis in California in what is expected to become the largest electric freight network in North America.
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