Tesla Semi: We know its launch date… and we have to wait

After being repeatedly questioned about the release date of its electric truck Semi, Tesla has finally provided a… rough date.

What’s wrong with the Tesla Semi? The answer is simple: you can’t just become a creator of logistics trucks overnight. Producing a reliable, powerful, and enduring electric powertrain is one thing, but there are thousands of other parameters to master simultaneously.

Logistics trucks, despite their rugged appearance, are incredibly engineered to achieve remarkable levels of durability and reliability. Any technical issue that immobilizes the vehicle would result in thousands of euros lost forever. As a result, logistics companies are not rushing to adopt the Tesla truck. The leap into the unknown is too great.

The Tesla Semi ready soon?

Tesla is not completely foolish and knows all this. That’s why the California-based manufacturer has formed exclusive technical partnerships with brands such as Pepsi. This testing work is valuable but also reveals numerous technical shortcomings. Tesla is currently addressing these, but the timeline is much longer than initially expected.

However, speed is essential now, as growth prospects are negative for Tesla in the coming months. Electric vehicle sales are slowing everywhere. The initial circle of “early adopters” has been exhausted, and new customers need to be found. Meanwhile, competition has intensified and is eating into market share.

Finally, there remains a pressing issue for Tesla: urgently constructing a factory dedicated to producing the Semi in Nevada. The estimated cost is $3.6 billion (€3.3 billion)! The XXL size of the Semi requires a very specific production line, but Tesla has not yet found the key to rapid and cost-effective production. Again, the expertise of decades from Mercedes, Volvo, Scania, Iveco, or Renault is not easily matched.

Despite everything, progress is being made, and Tesla has finally promised a launch date: late 2025 for partner customers and early 2026 for others. That means another two years of waiting from today… and especially five years behind the original schedule!

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