Tesla unveiled the Tesla Semi electric truck in 2017.
Tesla presented the Semi at an event in Hawthorne, California, in November 2017. The vehicle was designed as a battery-electric Class 8 tractor for freight hauling, extending Tesla’s product ambitions beyond passenger cars and stationary energy storage.
The unveiling included claimed performance figures for acceleration, range, and operating efficiency. Tesla announced two intended range versions, although production timing and specifications changed during the long development period. Prototype demonstrations helped show how electric propulsion could be applied to heavy commercial vehicles.
The Semi is different from Tesla’s earlier Roadster, Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y because it was created for commercial transport rather than private passenger use. It also differs from a conventional diesel tractor through its electric motors, battery pack, regenerative braking, and charging requirements.