Tesla has finally confirmed that its all-electric Semi lorry will go on sale in Europe, nearly 10 years after it made its debut.
Tesla says the Semi will make its European debut at next month’s IAA Transportation show in Hanover, Germany, where it will confirm specifications and an official launch event.
In 2025, Tesla updated the Semi with new tech and a new look to bring it in line with the facelifted version of its best-selling Model Y SUV. In the United States, the Semi is offered in two trim levels, Standard Range and Long Range, to mirror Tesla’s road car line-up.
Standard Range models have a range of up to 325 miles, courtesy of a tri-motor setup producing a combined 1,073bhp via its twin-rear axles.
Long Range variants have the same powertrain, but an elongated rear cab housing extra batteries extends range to 500 miles. According to Tesla, the Semi can charge up to 60% of its range when plugged into one of its 1,200kWh Megachargers.
Currently, the Semi Standard Range is the only version listed on the Elon Musk-owned carmaker’s UK website.
Upon its arrival in Europe, the Tesla Semi will be one of a handful of all-electric hauliers on the market, and main rivals include the MAN eTGX and the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600.
The MAN has a power output of either 328bhp or 536bhp, plus a range of up to 358 miles and a maximum charging speed of up to 1,000kW. The Mercedes is capable of 311 miles on a single charge, and has a relatively slow rapid-charge speed of 400kW. It will, however, be upgraded to megawatt capacity in the future.
Unlike Tesla’s roadcars, the Semi has not redefined the electric lorry market due to a stunted development cycle and a slow uptake of electric HGVs by haulage firms.
Following its 2017 debut, an undisclosed number of Semis were sold to PepsiCo in 2022. It also recently sold 500 examples to Swedish transport firm Einride, which is said to be the biggest Semi order yet.
