News
Tesla Semi production specs: powertrain, battery, Megacharger output, and more
The Tesla Semi has already been delivered to its first customers, but the actual production specs of the vehicle remain largely unknown or unconfirmed at best. Fortunately, a recent trip to PepsiCo’s Frito Lay facility in Modesto, Caifornia has provided some details that otherwise reveal the Tesla Semi production specs.
When Tesla held the first deliveries of the Semi, CEO Elon Musk highlighted that sustainable long-haulers are needed because in the transportation sector, semi trucks comprise about just 1% of vehicles on the road but they account for 20% of the emissions. Vehicles like the Tesla Semi are then designed to challenge this status quo.
Automotive publication MotorTrend was able to visit PepsiCo’s Modesto Frito Lay facility to check out the company’s first Tesla Semi units. As noted by the publication, the Modesto facility is a perfect fit for the Semi as the site already uses other green vehicles like BYD 8Y yard tractors, Peterbilt 220EV electric box trucks, and natural-gas-powered Volvo VNL trucks. The Tesla Semi fleet is used for out-and-back trips across the region.
The publication was able to gather some details about the Class 8 all-electric truck from its drivers and Tesla representatives who were at the location during the visit. Following are some key specs of the Tesla Semi.
Powertrain
The Tesla Semi features a modified Plaid tri-motor powertrain that’s spun backward. The Model S’ front motor drives the Semi’s rear axle and acts as the vehicle’s high-efficiency “highway drive unit.” The Model S Plaid’s dual rear motors, on the other hand, are installed on the rear axle. With this in mind, MotorTrend estimated that the Tesla Semi likely matches the Model S and Model X Plaid’s 1,020 horsepower and 1,050 pounds-feet of torque.
This estimate makes sense considering that a Tesla representative reportedly noted that the Tesla Semi makes “three times the power of an average diesel semi.” The US’ best-selling semi is the Freightliner Cascadia, whose base model features 350 horsepower. Three times the base Cascadia’s horsepower certainly aligns with the estimate that the Semi has about 1,020 horsepower. On a side note, the Tesla Semi production version does not have a frunk, unlike the vehicle’s prototype units.
Battery
Drivers of the Tesla Semi reportedly noted that the all-electric Class 8 truck is fitted with a 1,000 kWh battery pack. Tesla lists the Semi’s range as 500 miles per charge, and Elon Musk has also highlighted that the vehicle would consume only 2 kW per mile traveled.
If these estimates prove accurate, then the Semi’s 300-mile variant would likely have a battery pack that’s around 600 kWh. That’s still a lot of batteries, so Tesla would have to ensure that its production is optimized to ensure that the Semi is profitable.
Megacharger Output
The Tesla Semi features a charging port that’s different from all the vehicles that the company has released so far. The motoring publication noted that the Tesla Semi’s Megachargers installed on the Modesto facility could provide around 750 kW of power, or about three times the output of the company’s Supercharger V3 network.
The cables for the Tesla Semi’s Megachargers are thick, though they are reportedly easy to manage compared to some DC fast charging networks in the market. Charging the Semi from almost empty to 70% typically takes about 30 minutes. A full charge all the way to 100% reportedly takes around 90 minutes.
Physical Controls
While the Tesla Semi’s controls are mostly centered on its two infotainment systems, the vehicle also sports several physical buttons. Among these are the parking brake, trailer-brake air supply, and the vehicle’s hazards. Other physical controls include stalks similar to those found in the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, though some buttons on the steering wheel resemble those in the new Model S and Model X.
Interior Space
The cabin of the Tesla Semi is cavernous, similar to the company’s other vehicles. MotorTrend noted that there’s enough space to enable a six-foot person to walk around and stretch in the Tesla Semi’s 3×7 foot cabin. So far, PepsiCo’s drivers seem to like the Semi, with some telling the motoring publication that the all-electric truck was very comfortable and “drove like a car.”
Other Details
The use of the Tesla Semi’s dual infotainment systems is quite interesting. The right display functions as the Tesla Semi’s main infotainment unit, while the left display exclusively shows pertinent information about the truck, such as its tire pressure. The windows in the Semi’s cabin also open when needed, though they do not roll down. Some space in the cabin also seem to be reserved for customers who wish to order the Tesla Semi with a sleeper cabin. Images taken of the Semi’s displays also confirm that the vehicle is equipped with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving computer.
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Elon Musk
Elon Musk hints Tesla investors will be rewarded heavily
“Hold onto your Tesla stock. It’s going to be worth a lot, I think. That’s my bet,” Musk said.
Elon Musk recently hinted that he believes Tesla investors will be rewarded heavily if they continue to hold onto their shares, and he reiterated that in a new interview that the company released on its social accounts this week.
Musk is one of the most successful CEOs in the modern era and has mammothed competitors on the Forbes Net Worth List over the past year as his holdings in his various companies have continued to swell.
Tesla investors, especially those who have been holding shares for several years, have also felt substantial gains in their portfolios. Over the past five years, the stock is up over 78 percent. Since February 2019, nearly seven years ago to the day, the stock is up over 1,800 percent.
Musk said in the interview:
“Hold onto your Tesla stock. It’s going to be worth a lot, I think. That’s my bet.”
Elon Musk in new interview: “Hold on to your $TSLA stock. It’s going to be worth a lot, I think. That’s my bet.” pic.twitter.com/cucirBuhq0
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) February 26, 2026
It’s no secret Musk has been extremely bullish on his own companies, but Tesla in particular, because it is publicly traded.
However, the company has so many amazing projects that have an opportunity to revolutionize their respective industries. There is certainly a path to major growth on Wall Street for Tesla through its various future projects, including Optimus, Cybercab, Semi, and Unsupervised FSD.
- Optimus (Tesla’s humanoid robot): Musk has discussed its potential for tasks like childcare, walking dogs, or assisting elderly parents, positioning it as a massive long-term driver of company value.
- Cybercab (Tesla’s robotaxi/autonomous ride-hailing vehicle): a fully autonomous vehicle geared specifically for Tesla’s ride-sharing ambitions.
- Semi (Tesla’s electric truck, with mentions of expansion, like in Europe): brings Tesla into the commercial logistics sector.
- Unsupervised FSD (Full Self-Driving software achieving full autonomy without human supervision): turns every Tesla owner’s vehicle into a fully-autonomous vehicle upon release
These projects specifically are some of the highest-growth pillars Tesla has ever attempted to develop, especially in Musk’s eyes, as he has said Optimus will be the best-selling product of all-time.
Many analysts agree, but the bullish ones, like Cathie Wood of ARK Invest, are perhaps the one who believes Tesla has incredible potential on Wall Street, predicting a $2,600 price target for 2030, but this is not even including Optimus.
She told Bloomberg last March that she believes that the project will present a potential additive if Tesla can scale faster than anticipated.
Cybertruck
Tesla drops latest hint that new Cybertruck trim is selling like hotcakes
According to Tesla’s Online Design Studio, the new All-Wheel-Drive Cybertruck will now be delivered in April 2027. Earlier orders are still slated for early this Summer, but orders from here on forward are now officially pushed into next year:
Tesla’s new Cybertruck offering has had its delivery date pushed back once again. This is now the second time, and deliveries for the newest orders are now pushed well into 2027.
According to Tesla’s Online Design Studio, the new All-Wheel-Drive Cybertruck will now be delivered in April 2027. Earlier orders are still slated for early this Summer, but orders from here on forward are now officially pushed into next year:
🚨 Tesla has updated the $59,990 Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD’s estimated delivery date to April 2027.
First deliveries are still slated for June, but if you order it now, you’ll be waiting over a year.
Demand appears to be off the charts for the new Cybertruck and consumers are… pic.twitter.com/raDCCeC0zP
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) February 26, 2026
Just three days ago, the initial delivery date of June 2026 was pushed back to early Fall, and now, that date has officially moved to April 2027.
The fact that Tesla has had to push back deliveries once again proves one of two things: either Tesla has slow production plans for the new Cybertruck trim, or demand is off the charts.
Judging by how Tesla is already planning to raise the price based on demand in just a few days, it seems like the company knows it is giving a tremendous deal on this spec of Cybertruck, and units are moving quickly.
That points more toward demand and not necessarily to slower production plans, but it is not confirmed.
Tesla Cybertruck’s newest trim will undergo massive change in ten days, Musk says
Tesla is set to hike the price on March 1, so tomorrow will be the final day to grab the new Cybertruck trim for just $59,990.
It features:
- Dual Motor AWD w/ est. 325 mi of range
- Powered tonneau cover
- Bed outlets (2x 120V + 1x 240V) & Powershare capability
- Coil springs w/ adaptive damping
- Heated first-row seats w/ textile material that is easy to clean
- Steer-by-wire & Four Wheel Steering
- 6’ x 4’ composite bed
- Towing capacity of up to 7,500 lbs
- Powered frunk
Interestingly, the price offering is fairly close to what Tesla unveiled back in late 2019.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk outlines plan for first Starship tower catch attempt
Musk confirmed that Starship V3 Ship 1 (SN1) is headed for ground tests and expressed strong confidence in the updated vehicle design.
Elon Musk has clarified when SpaceX will first attempt to catch Starship’s upper stage with its launch tower. The CEO’s update provides the clearest teaser yet for the spacecraft’s recovery roadmap.
Musk shared the details in recent posts on X. In his initial post, Musk confirmed that Starship V3 Ship 1 (SN1) is headed for ground tests and expressed strong confidence in the updated vehicle design.
“Starship V3 SN1 headed for ground tests. I am highly confident that the V3 design will achieve full reusability,” Musk wrote.
In a follow-up post, Musk addressed when SpaceX would attempt to catch the upper stage using the launch tower’s robotic arms.
“Should note that SpaceX will only try to catch the ship with the tower after two perfect soft landings in the ocean. The risk of the ship breaking up over land needs to be very low,” Musk clarified.
His remarks suggest that SpaceX is deliberately reducing risk before attempting a tower catch of Starship’s upper stage. Such a milestone would mark a major step towards the full reuse of the Starship system.
SpaceX is currently targeting the first Starship V3 flight of 2026 this coming March. The spacecraft’s V3 iteration is widely viewed as a key milestone in SpaceX’s long-term strategy to make Starship fully reusable.
Starship V3 features a number of key upgrades over its previous iterations. The vehicle is equipped with SpaceX’s Raptor V3 engines, which are designed to deliver significantly higher thrust than earlier versions while reducing cost and weight.
The V3 design is also expected to be optimized for manufacturability, a critical step if SpaceX intends to scale the spacecraft’s production toward frequent launches for Starlink, lunar missions, and eventually Mars.
Elon Musk hints Tesla investors will be rewarded heavily
Tesla drops latest hint that new Cybertruck trim is selling like hotcakes
