Tesla Semi Plant Progress Creates Excitement in Reno

Hold onto your hard hats, Reno, because Tesla’s new Semi factory is shaping up—literally. The company recently placed the final piece of structural steel, marking a major milestone in the project’s journey toward production, which is on track for 2025.

After years of delays and whispers of "Is this ever really happening?" the Tesla Semi seems to be pulling into reality at last.

Originally slated for a 2020 debut, the Tesla Semi didn’t officially enter production until late 2022. By October 2023, Tesla had produced only about 70 of the sleek electric trucks, mainly for internal use and a single major customer—PepsiCo. (Yes, Pepsi’s snack delivery trucks are becoming electric. The Doritos revolution is officially sustainable.)

A Factory Gets a Facelift—and Then Some

Fast-forward to January 2023, when Tesla announced an ambitious expansion of its Gigafactory in Reno, Nevada, aiming to churn out the Semi at scale. Then, things went quiet for a while.

Finally, earlier this year, the dirt started flying and construction commenced. But instead of simply extending the existing Gigafactory, Tesla opted for a brand-new factory right next door. Why renovate when you can just build something new?

Now, as of December 2024, the main structure of this state-of-the-art facility is complete. Tesla’s construction team and contractor partners deserve a shoutout for their efficiency, safety focus, and all-around engineering brilliance. According to Tesla, this factory “is going to rock,” and honestly, that sounds about right.

Tesla Semi: Aiming for Heavy-Duty Domination

Dan Priestley, Tesla’s senior manager for Semi truck engineering, isn’t shy about the company’s ambitions. “We’re not just entering the heavy-duty trucking space; we’re planning to dominate it,” Priestley declared. And with 3.5 million miles of data on the Tesla Semi already under their belt, they’re building a case for just that.

Take PepsiCo’s Tesla Semi, for instance. During last year’s NACFE Run on Less—Electric Depot event, it clocked 410 miles on a single charge and racked up an impressive 1,076 miles in a single day. Priestley attributes this performance to fast charging and clever energy management, with over 60% of those miles logged at a gross weight exceeding 70,000 pounds. Translation: these trucks mean business.

Supercharging the Semi with Megachargers

Tesla’s solution for refueling these electric behemoths? Megachargers. Think of them as the EV charger’s jacked-up cousin. At Pepsi’s Fresno depot, for example, the Tesla Megacharger enables the Semi to recover 70% of its range in just 30 minutes. That’s not just fast—it’s revolutionary for an industry where downtime equals dollars lost.

Looking ahead, Tesla is rolling out a network of nine Megachargers along the California-to-Texas corridor. Priestley insists this “megawatt-level fast charging” isn’t just a cool tech flex; it’s a game-changer for making electric trucks as practical and economical as their diesel counterparts. Add to that the efficiency of “opportunity charging”—prioritizing mid-charge sweet spots over full top-offs—and you’ve got a recipe for optimal energy use

The Road Ahead: Electrifying Possibilities

Tesla is expected to complete the dedicated Tesla Semi factory near Reno Nevada sometime in 2025.

Once ramped, the facility is expected to produce about 50,000 units of the Tesla Semi per year.

Tesla has delivered about 200 Semis to clients so far, with PepsiCo leading the charge (pun intended). Drivers rave about the truck’s anti-jackknifing technology and reduced fatigue, with some reportedly refusing to return to traditional diesel rigs.

CEO Elon Musk summed it up with his usual flair: “We have kind of ridiculous demand for the Semi.”

That’s music to the ears of a trucking industry ready for a shake-up—and to Reno, which now finds itself at the heart of an electric revolution. One thing’s clear: the Tesla Semi is finally here, and it’s ready to roll.