Automaker Tesla announced Tuesday it is investing $3.6 billion to build two new factories in Nevada, including a facility to mass produce its all-electric Class 8 Semi truck.
“Semi is our fully electric combination truck, with 500 miles of range and energy consumption of less than 2 KWh per mile,” the company said on its website. “Thank you to the Tesla team, our supply chain partners and the local community that has made accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy possible at Gigafactory Nevada.”
The other factory will produce batteries for the Tesla Cybertruck, as well as the Semi. Together, the plants will employ about 3,000 people.
Austin, Texas-based Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) first announced the Semi truck in 2017, but production experienced numerous delays.
On Dec. 1, Tesla delivered the first Semi trucks to PepsiCo subsidiary Frito-Lay in Modesto, California. Musk has said the company will produce up to 50,000 Semi trucks per year.
Tesla could reveal more about the company’s expansion plans during Wednesday’s fourth-quarter earnings release after the stock market closes, with the company’s investor conference call starting at 5:30 p.m. ET.
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William Dale
OMG, dude! You are delusional!
Nearly every statement you make shows your woeful bias, and total lack of understanding of EVs!
As an example, you talk about lithium not going well with water! DO YOU REALLY THINK THE RAW METAL INSIDE THE CELLS WILL EVER COME INTO CONTACT WITH WEATHER?! LOL!
You are DESPERATE to spread any lie, misinformation or conspiracy theory that fits your skewed viewpoint, rather than looking at unbiased FACTS.
It’s WINTER RIGHT NOW! PepsiCo and Frito- Lay have been using Tesla Semis for months now, and are overjoyed with their performance, ease of use and ultra- quiet operation! They want more of them as soon as possible!
You need not foam at the mouth anymore, poor yorick. Your rant falls on deaf ears.
Richard M Rehmer
Someone better wake up the truck designers or get a real truck designer to revamp the driver position because, in its current place, it hampers the driver’s ability to back up. Also, unless they only plan to haul max 10k loads, tractors weighs more than what can be legally carried unless the DOT gives them a drive and steer axle exemption. Musk wanted cool, just like his pickup; well, he missed on that on both counts. Efficiency may be, but the stats are still out, waiting on the companies that bought them. He isn’t even in the ballpark on their ability to haul a load that can pay for the truck and its maintenance and charging. To answer the question from Tim Pilato ask a Tesla car owner what happens in actual cold weather and what happens when it is subzero. You will not like the answer. Lithium batteries don’t do well in the cold. My buddy in Eastern Montana calls it his convertible because you have to park it in the winter and wait for summer. Lithium also does not do well in high-heat either. Don’t take around any deep puddles on the highway. Water and lithium don’t mix. Now Driver’s happiness is also waiting to see. Would my company buy one? No, first, I am a flatbed company. These beasts were never designed for flatbed hauling, mountains, or lousy weather, no matter what Musk says. The list just goes on. To my way of thinking, you build the infrastructure before you build and try to sell a truck. The charging station, none of the truck stops are even making noise about it. I lean toward a hydrogen fuel cell, which is a regular motor. Lightweight. The downside is the same as the electric truck unless you come back to the yard every night no place to fill them up, making them worthless in my view until you get a nationwide setup to service them and not just your yard
Tim Pilato
What is the expected cost of the truck?
Will weather cold temperatures, mountains, the use of heat or AC, and the weight of cargo erode the 500-mile distance?
How will the telematic infrastructure need to be modified to be compliant with DOT (FMCSA) Regulations?