Tesla has demonstrated how stable the Semi can be on icy roads. The electric truck was tested in winter in Alaska where it performed incredibly well.
Semi trucks are among the most taxing vehicles to drive, and controlling them on slippery roads can be a challenge due to a dangerous phenomenon known as jackknifing. Tesla, however, has shared a video showing how the electric Class-8 Semi handles the situation, thanks to the proprietary Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) technology.
Dan Priestly, Tesla’s Semi program lead, posted a short video of the Semi in testing on a winter surface at the company’s cold-weather testing facility in Alaska. It shows a loaded prototype swerving as it hits an icy patch of the road. The trailer slides to the sides as the truck tries to correct itself. Interestingly, the truck manages to right itself and the trailer within seconds, which could prove crucial in preventing accidents.
Let’s talk Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC). With high resolution sensing and precise multi-motor controls developed in-house, the Tesla Semi provides torque and stability even on the trickiest of winter surfaces. pic.twitter.com/xNvCgyQCFc
— Dan Priestley (@danWpriestley) June 25, 2026
Jackknifing is a serious risk to truck drivers and other road users. It occurs when the trailer swings sideways, causing the cab to fold into it. The driver could lose control of the truck, as they would not be able to steer or brake properly. The risk is higher on slippery, icy roads.
Tesla, however, has built a mechanism for mitigating such incidents into the Semi. VDC combines hardware (sensors and motor controls) and software to compensate for and balance the torque that could lead to a jackknife. This is a significant advantage over most diesel-powered semis, which are not similarly equipped.
Apart from safety, the Tesla Semi has received praise for efficiency. A California-based trucking company ordered two more units after its pilot test revealed that the truck consumed about 1.55 kWh per mile, less than the manufacturer advertises.
Tesla delivered the first Semis to Pepsico in 2022. It has finally started volume production of the Semi in Nevada in April after years of delay.
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