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The Tesla Semi’s recent Giga 1 sighting highlights its difference from other concept trucks
To say that the Tesla Semi ruffled some feathers when it was unveiled last year is an understatement. Prior to the reveal of all-electric truck, questions were abounding about its viability as an alternative to conventional diesel-powered long-haulers. Even after the Semi’s specs and performance were announced, the vehicle still attracted a lot of skepticism.
During an event for Daimler’s e-Actos electric truck, for example, the company’s Head of Trucks, Martin Daum, noted that Elon Musk’s claims about the Semi’s 300 and 500-mile range are farfetched. Citing limitations in battery tech, Daum stated that “If Tesla really delivers on this promise, we’ll obviously buy two trucks — one to take apart and one to test because if that happens, something has passed us by. But for now, the same laws of physics apply in Germany and in California.” Jon Mills, a spokesman for engine maker Cummins Inc. noted back in August that while electrification is in the future of the trucking industry, the vehicles are not viable in their current state.
Since it was unveiled, the Tesla Semi has been spotted traveling across the United States. Tesla unveiled two working prototypes of the Semi – one painted silver and the other matte black – when it unveiled the vehicle, and so far, both have been spotted testing on US roads. Both trucks were also sighted delivering cargo from Gigafactory 1 in NV to the Fremont factory in CA. Most recently, the silver Tesla Semi was sighted in Gigafactory 1, hauling a trailer and seemingly ready to transport cargo.
Tesla is not the only manufacturer coming up with a zero-emissions truck. As the transport industry starts accelerating its shift towards electrification, even prominent truck companies are coming up with their own green vehicles. Most of these vehicles exist as concepts for now, but they do give an idea of how veteran truckmakers are approaching the industry’s transition to the electric age.
Ford, for one, recently revealed the F-Vision concept, which is loaded to the teeth with cutting-edge tech, including an adaptable windshield that can lower and rise depending on the driver’s preference, as well as front lights that can be fully customized. Last month, Volvo introduced the Vera, its next-generation semi-trailer concept. Unlike Tesla and Ford’s truck, Volvo’s vehicle does not even have a driver’s cabin, as it is designed fully for autonomy. Startup trucking companies are also showcasing their offerings. Nikola Motors, for one, made headlines when it unveiled its long-range sleeper hydrogen-electric truck – the Nikola One – back in December 2016, and the company has since teased its next offering, a day cab called the Nikola Two.
There is little doubt that the upcoming electric truck concepts that have been unveiled so far are exciting vehicles in their own right. Inasmuch as this is the case, though, many of these impressive concepts feature technology that is still yet to be developed or refined. During the F-Vision’s unveiling, for one, Ford clarified that the truck is strictly a concept for now. Volvo’s Vera is a perfect fit for short-haul trips thanks to its 300 kWh battery that gives it a 187-mile range, but the vehicle can’t be deployed anytime soon since self-driving tech is still under development (even autonomous tech leader Waymo is reportedly struggling with its fleet’s real-world testing). Nikola’s hydrogen-electric trucks are powerful and boast long-range, but they would need a network of H2 refilling stations before they can be a viable alternative to diesel trucks. As a result, most zero-emissions truck concepts, including the Nikola One prototype, are yet to be sighted doing real-world tests on public roads.
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- The Volvo Vera. [Credit: Volvo]
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- The Ford F-Vision concept. [Credit: Ford]
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- The Nikola One
This is where the Tesla Semi is different. Among the upcoming electric trucks in the market, the Semi is the one undergoing consistent, intensive real-world testing. The vehicle has been spotted in multiple states since its unveiling, at times even visiting the sites of reservation holders like UPS, J.B. Hunt and PepsiCo. As it conducts its extensive real-world tests, the vehicle undergoes a consistent process of improvement. This was highlighted by Tesla’s Head of Automotive Jerome Guillen during the Q2 2018 earnings call, when he stated that several improvements have already been introduced to the electric truck since it was unveiled last year. Elon Musk even teased on Twitter that the Semi would likely have closer to 600 miles of range per charge. With this, it seems safe to infer that the production version of the Tesla Semi would be better than the prototype that is currently traveling across the country today.
The Tesla Semi balances its features without overdoing it as well. It does not have the cloud-based autonomy of concepts like the Vera or the flashy variable front design of the Ford F-Vision, but ultimately, it does not need to have all these extra bells and whistles to become effective at what it’s designed to do. Tesla created the Semi to be a viable alternative to diesel-powered long-haulers, and if recent sightings and its consistent road tests is any indication, it appears that the vehicle is poised to be exactly that.
The Tesla Semi is expected to start production sometime in 2019. Recent reports have indicated that Tesla is planning on “earnestly” producing the Semi sometime in 2020.
Tesla launched the slightly larger Model Y L in China last year, and it became a hit in no time. The longer wheelbase, larger interior, and slightly more forgiving legroom area in the Model Y L became a sought-after possibility for U.S. buyers, who have been begging the company for a larger SUV.
Now, Tesla needs it more than ever, especially considering the Model X was discontinued alongside its Model S sibling earlier this year. It looks to be more likely than ever, and based on recent reports, it will fall in line with CEO Elon Musk’s prediction that it would arrive in the United States in late 2026.
Recent reports from Forbes and Not a Tesla App both have indicated Tesla plans to bring the Model Y L to the U.S. this year. The reports cite “credible sources,” and an analyst from AutoForecast Solutions named Sam Fiorani stated that the car would enter production later this year.
Fiorani said:
“China, Australia, and India are supplied by the factory in China, which will not supply vehicles to the U.S. Production of the Model Y L is expected to begin in the U.S. in September, which will lead to sales beginning before the end of 2026.”
Production would take place at Gigafactory Texas.
Additionally, a few Model Y L units have been spotted under wraps in the United States, giving more indication that Tesla plans to bring the vehicle to the U.S. When Tesla is close to launching a vehicle in the U.S., it is not uncommon to see these models with the exact car covers that you see below:
Looks like another Tesla Model Y L was spotted in the U.S.! pic.twitter.com/jhsdkcN5Go
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) June 26, 2026
It makes sense, especially considering Musk hinted the Model Y L would make it to the U.S. in late 2026, but it was up in the air. The CEO said the advent of self-driving might not warrant a larger SUV coming to the U.S. market specifically.
The problem is, consumers do not want to hear that. They love Tesla’s tech, FSD, and other features, but they need more space for growing families. The Model X is gone, and the most anyone can fit in a Tesla right now is seven people in the seven-seat Model Y. That back row is truly only large enough to fit small children comfortably.
Tesla fans have requested a full-size SUV, and the company has made some hints that it could be in the plans.
The Model Y and Model Y L differ noticeably in size, with the Model Y L being a stretched, six-seat variant designed for great interior room. The Standard Model Y measures approximately 4,790mm in length, 1,982 mm in width with the mirrors folded, 1,624mm in height, and 2,890mm in wheel base.
In contrast, the Model Y L extends to be about 4,969–4,976mm long (roughly 179mm or 7 inches longer), stands 1,668mm tall (+44mm), and features a significantly longer 3,040 mm wheelbase (+150mm), while maintaining the same width.
This elongation primarily benefits rear passenger space and enables a 2+2+2 seating layout with captain’s chairs, though it slightly reduces maximum cargo capacity behind the rearmost seats and adds a bit of overall mass and turning radius. The result is a more spacious family hauler that still shares the core footprint and agile character of the original Model Y.
In a major development that will inevitably strengthen Tesla’s dominant position in the American EV market, Polestar has been effectively banned from selling new vehicles in the United States, starting with the 2027 model year.
The U.S. Department of Commerce denied Polestar authorization under the Connected Vehicle Rule, which prohibits vehicles containing certain connected technologies (Cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) linked to China or Russia due to national security risks, including potential data collection on American drivers.
🚨 A Tesla competitor goes down
Polestar will no longer sell new vehicles in the United States starting with the 2027 model year.
The U.S. Department of Commerce denied the brand authorization under the Connected Vehicle Rule, which restricts the sale of cars with software and… pic.twitter.com/TrwnQeoiES
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) June 25, 2026
Polestar, which is majority-owned by China’s Geely Holding, could not obtain the required exemption despite producing some models domestically.
Polestar confirmed it will sell off any remaining inventory of the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 models, while continuing service and warranty support for existing customers. No new models or major refreshes will reach U.S. buyers, and the company is pivoting its growth strategy to Europe, where it already generates the vast majority of its sales.
The outcome removes a direct premium EV competitor that had positioned itself as a stylish, performance-oriented alternative to Tesla’s lineup. The Polestar 2 challenged the Model 3, while the Polestar 3 and 4 targeted segments overlapping with the Model Y and upcoming Tesla offerings. Polestar’s U.S. sales had already been sluggish amid intense competition and slower demand, representing just 6 percent of its global volume in the first quarter of 2026.
While Polestar was not on Tesla’s level in the U.S., it still places a dent in the evergrowing field of Tesla competitors in the country, where it has long dominated EV sales.
Tesla faces none of these hurdles. As a U.S.-founded and U.S.-headquartered company with major manufacturing in Fremont, Austin, and Nevada, Tesla’s vehicles are built with compliant domestic and allied supply chains. Its Full Self-Driving technology, over-the-air software updates, and vertically integrated ecosystem were developed entirely in-house without foreign ownership entanglements that trigger national security reviews, at least in the U.S.
Of course, it did face a similar threat in China a few years back:
Elon Musk responds to reports of Tesla ban among China’s military over security concerns
The Connected Vehicle Rule, first advanced under the prior administration and upheld under the current one, is part of a broader U.S. effort to protect the domestic auto industry and critical technology from Chinese influence. High tariffs on Chinese-made EVs and related restrictions have already reshaped the market. Tesla benefits directly: it avoids these barriers while continuing to lead in U.S. EV sales volume, Supercharger network expansion, and energy storage integration.
By clearing Polestar from the new-vehicle playing field, the policy reduces competitive pressure in the premium and performance EV segments where Tesla has invested billions. American consumers seeking cutting-edge electric vehicles now have one fewer option tied to foreign adversaries — and one clearer path to the market leader that has driven the EV transition from the start.
For Tesla, this is more than regulatory relief. It is a strategic tailwind that reinforces its position as America’s premier EV innovator at a time when domestic manufacturing and technological independence matter most.
Tesla Cybercab stands to gain from new rules that the Trump Administration is aiming to enforce on autonomous vehicles. On Thursday, NHTSA, under the Trump Administration’s U.S. Department of Transportation, commenced rulemaking on the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
This effort aims to eliminate the mandate for manual brake pedals in vehicles that are designed to be driven exclusively by automated driving systems. This would impact the Tesla Cybercab, which the company has stated would operate without a steering wheel or pedals.
Tesla Cybercab launch is imminent after latest sighting at Giga Texas
The Trump Administration is looking to revise FMVSS No. 135, which requires standard braking systems on light-duty vehicles.
Currently, the regulation requires light-duty cars to use traditional manual braking systems that allow operators to slow the vehicle. With the advent of self-driving in the U.S., these regulations need updating, and these are the changes that could come to FMVSS No. 135:
- Removes requirements for hand- or foot-operated brake controls for vehicles designed never to be operated by a human. Existing rules still apply to AVs that retain manual controls.
- All subject vehicles must still meet the same stopping distance performance criteria via alternative testing procedures.
- While this update ensures AVs can physically stop when commanded, NHTSA is separately developing safety performance requirements for AVs in real-world driving scenarios.
- NHTSA will continue to use its broad defect enforcement authority to investigate unsafe ADS behavior and oversee recalls.
As autonomy becomes a greater part of passenger travel, these types of rule adjustments will be more than reasonable. It will give manufacturers the ability to self-certify their vehicles and avoid any red tape that could ultimately delay the deployment of these vehicles.
Administrators are also incredibly excited about the opportunity to play a role in the advancement of self-driving vehicles.
“We are at the cusp of the greatest technological revolution in vehicle technology since the innovation of the Model T,” NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison said. “If we want America to lead the way, we have to reimagine our regulatory framework. That’s why under Secretary Sean Duffy’s AV Framework, NHTSA is tearing down pointless barriers to innovative designs while strengthening the fundamental safety requirements that matter and holding AV developers accountable for safe performance.”
The Cybercab entered mass production at Gigafactory Texas in April. Tesla ultimately plans to push the vehicle into its Robotaxi fleet, potentially when frameworks like these are established.
Tesla looks keen to bring larger Model Y L to the U.S.
One of Tesla’s biggest threats just got banned in the U.S.
