Gary Zhou 
Key Points
- 🚚 The Tesla Semi, although not yet in mass production, is being put to use, and sightings of the all-electric Class 8 trucks are becoming more common.
- âš¡ The Tesla Semi appears to outperform its diesel-powered counterparts, as seen in recent videos where it effortlessly passed diesel trucks and climbed steep grades.
- 🎥 Videos captured by a Tesla Model S Plaid owner showed a Tesla Semi unit, painted white, overtaking diesel-powered trucks without noise or drama.
- 📅 Meaningful production numbers for the Tesla Semi are expected around late 2024, with a delay in the ramp-up compared to initial expectations.
- 📦 High-profile companies like Walmart, Anheuser-Busch, UPS, and DHL have placed orders for the Tesla Semi.
Tesla Semi sightings in real-world operations suggest a potential new ruler of the road
Although mass production of Tesla Semi has not commenced yet, a few units have been built and are already in use. Consequently, it’s no surprise that sightings of these all-electric Class 8 trucks operating in real-world conditions are becoming increasingly common. Recent video clips shared online indicate that there may be a new leader on the road, and it happens to be electric.
One Tesla Model S Plaid owner, known as @HinrichsZane and self-proclaimed “notorious Tesla Semi stalker,” has been fortunate enough to capture multiple videos of the Semi in action. Among the recent videos shared by this Tesla enthusiast is footage of the Semi reportedly ascending a steep grade. Needless to say, the sight is truly remarkable.
When Elon Musk unveiled the Tesla Semi in late 2017, he emphasized that the all-electric Class 8 truck would outperform its diesel-powered counterparts by a notable margin. These words are proven true by the Model S Plaid owner’s recent videos. In one clip, for example, the Tesla Semi could be seen easily passing several diesel-powered trucks without missing a step.
Yet another video showed a Tesla Semi unit, which is reportedly carrying a significant amount of weight, smoking a diesel-powered truck on an uphill road, completely without any noise or drama. Interestingly enough, the Semis that have been sighted by the Tesla watcher were painted white, suggesting that they were being used by the electric vehicle maker, not customers like PepsiCo.
During a conference in Austin last month, Tesla CEO Elon Musk admitted that the Tesla Semi will likely see meaningful production numbers around late 2024. This suggests that there is some delay in the Semi’s ramp, as Tesla initially expected to build around 50,000 units of the all-electric Class 8 truck in 2024. With a rate of 50,000 units of the Semi per year, Tesla would effectively become one of the largest truck makers in the country today.
There is much anticipation surrounding the Semi, with numerous high-profile companies placing orders for the all-electric Class 8 truck. These include Walmart, Anheuser-Busch, UPS, DHL, and many others.
