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Tesla’s project to make GA 4.5 permanent at Fremont is underway
Tesla’s project to make General Assembly line 4.5 (GA 4.5) permanent at the Fremont Factory in Northern California is now underway.
In February, Teslarati reported that Tesla was planning to make GA 4.5 permanent. The project would expand the Fremont Factory by 64,000 square feet.
GA 4.5 is a tent or spring structure located just outside the Fremont Factory’s main facility. According to City of Fremont filings, it has been the location of Model Y production since February 2020, when the tent was initially erected. The structure was not supposed to be permanent, but Tesla has made it abundantly clear that this will be a long-standing part of the Fremont production efforts for the company. The February filings indicated that Tesla would attempt to add underground utilities like plumbing and electrical work, meaning the spring structure was undergoing foundational work. Effectively, the tent is going nowhere, and it will be the site of Tesla’s growing manufacturing efforts for years to come.
Credit: Ryan Ferrin | YouTube
Now that Fremont’s government has approved the project, Tesla has already gone ahead and completed some of the project. According to new documents from the City of Fremont, Tesla has “added underground sanitary sewer extension from civil point of connection.”
The filing is listed as BLD2021-05126-001, the City of Fremont’s website says.
Tesla has expanded its production capacity several times over the past few years, thanks to the introduction of new vehicles to its lineup. Additionally, the company’s vehicles are among the most popular in the EV sector, and Tesla has continued to expand its market through a wider array of vehicle styles. Because of the increased demand that the company has faced, Tesla has already started constructing more production facilities, both in the United States and internationally. However, the Fremont factory has needed to expand due to increased demand, and Tesla is taking nearly every inch of land at Fremont and making it a part of the manufacturing process.
As Tesla moves closer to the initial production dates of the Giga Texas and Giga Berlin facilities, there is no shying away from the fact that Fremont is still an integral part of the company’s production. The plant is the only facility in Tesla’s lineup that manufactures the Model S and Model X. The facility will also handle the Western half of the United States with Model 3 and Model Y builds, as Giga Texas will be responsible for the Eastern portion of the country.
In 2020, Tesla expanded the Model Y production lines to make way for the IDRA Giga Press. This was filed in July 2020, and the Giga Press is now operational at the facility and is building single-piece rear castings for the Model Y crossover. Tesla attempted to expand GA 4.5 in April 2020. This project was delayed as TEsla had to solve issues with stormwater drainage before the project was approved.
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Tesla executive teases plan to further electrify supply chain
One of Tesla’s top executive hints at how Tesla is further electrifying its supply chain.
A high-level Tesla executive has said the company is working to further electrify its supply chain, following a successful road test with the Semi this week.
After Tesla supplier thyssenkrupp completed a successful 5,000-mile winter trial with the Semi this week, Dan Priestley, the company’s Director of Semi Engineering, noted on X that the demonstration is a part of larger efforts to electrify more of the supply chain. The executive said that the company is already working to help suppliers like thyssenkrupp implement the Semi into their operations, particularly due to its cost savings and reliability.
Following the thyssenkrupp demo, the supply chain company has also begun integrating the Semi into its fleet, and Priestley suggests that more are still to come:
Working with our suppliers and logistics partners to electrify Tesla’s supply chain. With lower cost and higher reliability, it just makes sense. thyssenkrupp pushed the truck hard over this demo and now plans to integrate Semi into their fleet.
🚨 A Tesla Semi rolling around near Gigafactory Texas
If you remember, the Drone GOAT 🐐 @JoeTegtmeyer spotted one on factory property last week!pic.twitter.com/tvchIQar1u
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) June 10, 2025
READ MORE ON TESLA SEMI: Tesla Full Self-Driving displays impressive collision avoidance with Semi
Tesla Semi factory nears official production as trials continue to impress
Tesla’s early Semi trials received positive results from both thyssenkrup and ArcBest’s ABF Freight this week, with the latter company logging 4,494 miles during a pilot period, and averaging 321 miles per day despite a 7,200-foot climb over Donner Pass.
The company has also been constructing a factory for volume Semi production at its Gigafactory in Nevada, and in recent weeks, the plant is looking nearly complete. Semi frames have been spotted in increasing numbers outside the facility recently, suggesting that Tesla is nearing early production on site.
The company also hired more than 1,000 workers for the Semi factory in April, while the plant is eventually expected to produce as many as 50,000 Semi units annually.
Tesla reveals Semi fleet data, shows off new feature and infrastructure plans
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Tesla Semi completes 5,000-mile winter trial with thyssenkrupp
The test covered nearly 5,000 miles in winter conditions.
thyssenkrupp Supply Chain Services has completed a three-week pilot of the Tesla Semi at one of its California logistics hubs, marking a new step in the company’s sustainability push. The test covered nearly 5,000 miles in winter conditions and focused on evaluating the electric Class 8 truck’s efficiency, transparency, and operational performance.
Tesla Semi offers efficiency gains and real-time logistics visibility
During the pilot, the Tesla Semi was used for active freight delivery, including routes over the Altamont Pass. thyssenkrupp evaluated the vehicle’s ability to reduce downtime, enhance delivery speed, and offer greater real-time supply chain visibility, the company noted in a press release.
Live diagnostics and performance monitoring allowed the logistics provider to track metrics such as speed, routes, and overall efficiency—data that supports smarter and more transparent logistics operations.
“The Tesla Semi aligns with our ongoing commitment to sustainability and operational excellence,” said Bob Denehy, Chief Commercial Officer at thyssenkrupp Supply Chain Services. “Its efficiency and diagnostic features, and low environmental impact make it a natural fit for our evolving logistics strategy.”
Pilot builds on long-term partnership with Tesla and green energy goals
A logistics partner to Tesla since 2015, thyssenkrupp Supply Chain Services was one of the first companies selected to test the Tesla Semi in a real-world setting. The trial reinforces the company’s push into renewable energy logistics and reflects its long-term goal of integrating alternative-fuel technologies across its operations.
Plans are now underway to begin adding electric Semis to its fleet as part of a wider emissions-reduction effort. The pilot is thus the latest example of how logistics providers are embracing next-generation transport technologies to meet environmental goals and enhance supply chain performance.
News
Tesla Semi shows strong results in ArcBest’s real-world freight trial
The truck handled varied terrain, including a 7,200-foot climb over Donner Pass.
ArcBest has successfully wrapped up a three-week pilot program testing a Class 8 Tesla Semi in over-the-road applications. The trial was conducted through ArcBest’s ABF Freight division, and it covered routes between Reno and Sacramento and regional operations around the Bay Area.
Tesla Semi pilot sees strong performance and positive driver feedback
The Tesla Semi logged 4,494 miles during the pilot, averaging 321 miles per day with an energy efficiency of 1.55 kWh per mile. The Tesla Semi handled varied terrain, including a 7,200-foot climb over Donner Pass, and delivered performance comparable to diesel counterparts.
Drivers who participated in the pilot also gave positive feedback to the Tesla Semi, citing the Class 8 all-electric truck’s comfort, safety, and visibility thanks to features like a center seating position and intuitive controls. Matt Godfrey, president of ABF Freight, shared his thoughts on the pilot in a press release.
“We’re not looking for a truck that performs well ‘for an EV.’ It must meet or exceed the performance and total cost of ownership targets of our most efficient diesel units. This pilot gives us great insight into the potential of EV semis in our operations,” he said.
ArcBest highlights need for more charging infrastructure
While the pilot met expectations, ArcBest noted that broader deployment of Class 8 all-electric trucks like the Tesla Semi will still depend on improvements in charging infrastructure. This way, longer-haul operations become more than feasible.
The pilot marks another step in ArcBest’s investment in sustainable logistics technologies. In addition to testing the Tesla Semi, the company operates a small fleet of EVs, including nine electric yard tractors, two electric forklifts, and two Class 6 electric straight trucks. Dennis Anderson, ArcBest chief innovation officer, noted that vehicles like the Tesla Semi are notable developments in the transportation sector.
“Freight transportation is a vital part of the global economy, and we know it also plays a significant role in overall greenhouse gas emissions. While the path to decarbonization presents complex challenges — such as infrastructure needs and alternative fuel development — it also opens the door to innovation. Vehicles like the Tesla Semi highlight the progress being made and expand the boundaries of what’s possible as we work toward a more sustainable future for freight,” he stated.
Tesla executive teases plan to further electrify supply chain
Tesla Semi completes 5,000-mile winter trial with thyssenkrupp
Tesla Semi shows strong results in ArcBest’s real-world freight trial
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