Tesla has been testing the Semi on public roads since it was initially unveiled in late 2017, and so far, the Class 8 all-electric truck has remained free of fire incidents. That is until today, when reports emerged on Monday stating that I-80 was closed for several hours due to a Tesla Semi fire.
As noted in a KCRA3 report, a Tesla Semi caught fire near the Emigrant Gap area of Placer County. Fire crews were dispatched to the area around 3:16 a.m. As a precaution, drivers were kept off the interstate for at least half a mile in both directions. Jason Lyman, a California Highway Patrol spokesperson, noted that these precautions were taken since toxic fumes from the Tesla Semi fire were an inhalation danger.
The Tesla Semi fire was handled by Cal Fire crews. Reports also indicated that a hazardous materials team contracted by Tesla responded to the incident. Cal Fire Division Chief Ryan Woessner noted that it took a while before the Tesla Semi fire was contained.
Westbound Interstate 80 reopened more than 13 hours after a Tesla Semi caught fire east of Nyack early Monday, the Cal Fire said. Eastbound I-80 remains closed.
Read more here: https://t.co/f11gJBbmWS pic.twitter.com/b6f8qjcoPw— kcranews (@kcranews) August 20, 2024
“When they break down, they start feeding off each other and they catch fire. They burn themselves out using the battery itself as fuel,” Woessner noted.
Based on the videos of the vehicle’s fire, it appeared that the Tesla Semi was operating without a trailer when it caught fire. Reports also indicated that the Tesla Semi driver was able to walk away from the accident, as per the California Highway Patrol (CHP). An investigation is underway to determine if the driver had fallen asleep at the wheel.
Fire crews managed to achieve a notable reduction in the Tesla Semi battery fire’s temperature around 4 p.m. As a result, the westbound lanes of I-80 were reopened just before 4:30 p.m. The eastbound lanes of the interstate were reopened after 7 p.m. Crews are reportedly working on a plan to retrieve the burned Tesla Semi and transport it to Giga Nevada for analysis.
Considering that this is the first reported instance of a Tesla Semi fire, it would not be surprising if the event results in widespread allegations about the dangers of electric vehicles. It should then be noted that estimates from transportation company PENSKE indicate that there are about 7,000 truck fires in the United States every year. That translates to about 19 semi fires per day.
Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
Elon Musk
Starlink achieves major milestones in 2025 progress report
Starlink wrapped up 2025 with impressive growth, adding more than 4.6 million new active customers and expanding service to 35 additional countries, territories, and markets.
Starlink wrapped up 2025 with impressive growth, adding more than 4.6 million new active customers and expanding service to 35 additional countries, territories, and markets. The company also completed deployment of its first-generation Direct to Cell constellation, launching over 650 satellites in just 18 months to enable cellular connectivity.
SpaceX highlighted Starlink’s impressive 2025 progress in an extensive report.
Key achievements from Starlink’s 2025 Progress
Starlink connected over 4.6 million new customers with high-speed internet while bringing service to 35 more regions worldwide in 2025. Starlink is now connecting 9.2 million people worldwide. The service achieved this just weeks after hitting its 8 million customer milestone.
Starlink is now available in 155 markets, including areas that are unreachable by traditional ISPs. As per SpaceX, Starlink has also provided over 21 million airline passengers and 20 million cruise passengers with reliable high-speed internet connectivity during their travels.
Starlink Direct to Cell
Starlink’s Direct to Cell constellation, more than 650 satellites strong, has already connected over 12 million people at least once, marking a breakthrough in global mobile coverage.
Starlink Direct to Cell is currently rolled out to 22 countries and 6 continents, with over 6 million monthly customers. Starlink Direct to Cell also has 27 MNO partners to date.
“This year, SpaceX completed deployment of the first generation of the Starlink Direct to Cell constellation, with more than 650 satellites launched to low-Earth orbit in just 18 months. Starlink Direct to Cell has connected more than 12 million people, and counting, at least once, providing life-saving connectivity when people need it most,” SpaceX wrote.
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Tesla Giga Nevada celebrates production of 6 millionth drive unit
To celebrate the milestone, the Giga Nevada team gathered for a celebratory group photo.
Tesla’s Giga Nevada has reached an impressive milestone, producing its 6 millionth drive unit as 2925 came to a close.
To celebrate the milestone, the Giga Nevada team gathered for a celebratory group photo.
6 million drive units
The achievement was shared by the official Tesla Manufacturing account on social media platform X. “Congratulations to the Giga Nevada team for producing their 6 millionth Drive Unit!” Tesla wrote.
The photo showed numerous factory workers assembled on the production floor, proudly holding golden balloons that spelled out “6000000″ in front of drive unit assembly stations. Elon Musk gave credit to the Giga Nevada team, writing, “Congrats on 6M drive units!” in a post on X.
Giga Nevada’s essential role
Giga Nevada produces drive units, battery packs, and energy products. The facility has been a cornerstone of Tesla’s scaling since opening, and it was the crucial facility that ultimately enabled Tesla to ramp the Model 3 and Model Y. Even today, it serves as Tesla’s core hub for battery and drivetrain components for vehicles that are produced in the United States.
Giga Nevada is expected to support Tesla’s ambitious 2026 targets, including the launch of vehicles like the Tesla Semi and the Cybercab. Tesla will have a very busy 2026, and based on Giga Nevada’s activities so far, it appears that the facility will be equally busy as well.
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Tesla Supercharger network delivers record 6.7 TWh in 2025
The network now exceeds 75,000 stalls globally, and it supports even non-Tesla vehicles across several key markets.
Tesla’s Supercharger Network had its biggest year ever in 2025, delivering a record 6.7 TWh of electricity to vehicles worldwide.
To celebrate its busy year, the official @TeslaCharging account shared an infographic showing the Supercharger Network’s growth from near-zero in 2012 to this year’s impressive milestone.
Record 6.7 TWh delivered in 2025
The bar chart shows steady Supercharger energy delivery increases since 2012. Based on the graphic, the Supercharger Network started small in the mid-2010s and accelerated sharply after 2019, when the Model 3 was going mainstream.
Each year from 2020 onward showed significantly more energy delivery, with 2025’s four quarters combining for the highest total yet at 6.7 TWh.
This energy powered millions of charging sessions across Tesla’s growing fleet of vehicles worldwide. The network now exceeds 75,000 stalls globally, and it supports even non-Tesla vehicles across several key markets. This makes the Supercharger Network loved not just by Tesla owners but EV drivers as a whole.
Resilience after Supercharger team changes
2025’s record energy delivery comes despite earlier 2024 layoffs on the Supercharger team, which sparked concerns about the system’s expansion pace. Max de Zegher, Tesla Director of Charging North America, also highlighted that “Outside China, Superchargers delivered more energy than all other fast chargers combined.”
Longtime Tesla owner and FSD tester Whole Mars Catalog noted the achievement as proof of continued momentum post-layoffs. At the time of the Supercharger team’s layoffs in 2024, numerous critics were claiming that Elon Musk was halting the network’s expansion altogether, and that the team only remained because the adults in the room convinced the juvenile CEO to relent.
Such a scenario, at least based on the graphic posted by the Tesla Charging team on X, seems highly implausible.
Starlink achieves major milestones in 2025 progress report
Tesla Giga Nevada celebrates production of 6 millionth drive unit
