Last week, Elon Musk took some time out of Tesla’s year end earnings call to touch base on the Tesla Semi. The CEO claimed that the Tesla Semi is ready for production with the exception of Tesla’s new in-house 4680 cells, which are required for volume production.
Tesla unveiled its electric semi truck in 2017. The automaker presented the Tesla Semi claiming the class 8 trucks would have an 80,000-lb capacity, 300-mile and 500-mile range options, and would start at $150,000 and $180,000, respectively. About a year later we learned that Tesla was able to extend the trucks range during testing and was given an updated range closer to 600 miles. After the tumultuous year that was 2020, several projects from multiple companies were delayed including the Tesla Semi, which was pushed to 2021.
Videos and pictures have surface of the Tesla Semi on the road over the years, but automotive news outlet, The Kilowatts, came across a new Tesla Semi with white paint and pretty noticeable updates; possibly a production prototype testing before the upcoming launch.
The all-electric semi-truck has a new window design, tinted headlights, and redesigned taillights, as well as a few more, less obvious updates. Additionally, the original Semi prototype’s Model 3 door handles seem to be missing as well. The Tesla Semi was seen being transported via flatbed in Sacramento, California (via Teslarati): “The components directly behind the cabin of the Class 8 all-electric truck have also been updated, with the new Semi sporting what seems to be a more streamlined equipment setup.”
The Tesla Semi appeared to be traveling in the direction of Tesla Gigfactory Nevada, according to The Kilowatts. This is the third Tesla Semi prototype seen in the wild to date.