Tesla's first electric semi-truck will have a range of 500 miles and begin shipping this year, according to a tweet from Elon Musk, founder and CEO. Musk previously said that the model would be on roads in 2023, as well as Tesla's pickup truck, dubbed the Cybertruck. The projected arrival date for the Cybertruck has not changed.
The Tesla Semi Truck, which was unveiled in November 2017, is designed for long-haul trucking. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 20 seconds when hauling a full load, which is faster than most diesel trucks.
The Tesla Semi Truck's range of 500 miles on a single charge constitutes more than double the range of the current longest-range electric truck on the market, the Daimler eCascadia, which has a range of 230 miles.
Tesla to release the first Tesla Semis this year
Tesla
The Tesla Semi Truck is also significantly cheaper to operate than a diesel truck, Tesla has said. The company estimates that it will cost $1.26 per mile to operate the Tesla Semi, compared to $1.51 per mile for a diesel truck.
Since the company started taking orders for the truck in 2017 some of the most sizable orders have come from the likes of UPS, Walmart, and PepsiCo. The original deposit required with an order was $5,000, which was increased to $20,000 after the event in November 2017.
Tesla to release the first Tesla Semis this year
Tesla
The company has not said how many trucks it plans to produce but based on past statements from Tesla we can expect the price of regular production versions for the 300-mile (480 km) and 500-mile (800 km) range versions to be $150,000 and $180,000 USD respectively.
Tesla's Semi Truck is part of the company's push to electrify the transportation sector, which is responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions. Tesla also makes electric cars and SUVs, and it plans to start producing its electric truck next year. Tesla's ultimate goal is to transition the world to sustainable energy.
Tesla to release the first Tesla Semis this year
Tesla
Tesla Semi Event
Tesla unveiled the Tesla Semi and the Tesla Roadster in late 2017. The entire event is below:
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Tesla's latest V12 user interface will change the look and feel of some of the vehicle’s operations. This new interface, announced on X, is already partially available on the Cybertruck but will now be rolled out to the Model 3 and Model Y, equipped with AMD Ryzen processors according to Tesla. However, the new Model S and Model X will likely receive it as well, although possibly not at the same time. It integrates several new features and aesthetics that set new standards in vehicle interface design.
The new interface will become available in Tesla update 2024.14, which started rolling out to employees yesterday.
Centralized Vehicle Visualization
A standout feature of the v12 UI update, not to be confused with FSD v12, is the centralized vehicle visualization, which dominates the display while parked (shown in photo). This design choice enhances visual appeal and improves functionality by placing critical vehicle performance metrics, and status updates front and center. Similar to the layout in the Cybertruck, this feature provides drivers with a clear and immediate view of their vehicle's status and shows off the gorgeous 3D model.
Improved Navigation
The navigation system will see several improvements. You’ll now see a little trip progress bar that lets you visually see how far along you are on your route.
If your vehicle has a rear screen, as in the new Model 3, the redesigned Model S or Model X, then trip information such as ETA will also be displayed on the rear screen.
Tesla already has the ability to update your route if a faster route becomes available. You can change some of these settings under Controls > Navigate. However, now the vehicle will show you if a faster route becomes available and gives you a chance to cancel the updated route if needed.
Expanded Autopilot Visualizations
Tesla is now bringing its full-screen visualizations outside of North America. However, there will be some improvements as well. In addition to being able to have the visualizations go full screen, there will now be a small map displayed in the corner as well.
That’s one of the issues with the full-screen FSD visualizations right now. If you make them full-screen, you lose your navigation map completely and only have the next turn available.
This will be the first time full-screen visualizations are available outside North America. It’s not clear whether all the FSD visualizations will be available such as traffic lights, curbs and more will be displayed, but Tesla has slowly been adding additional visualizations for non-FSD users, so there’s a chance that this feature will finally display all FSD visualizations to users outside of North America.
It’s not immediately clear whether this feature will require Enhanced Autopilot or FSD.
Full-Screen Browser Support
With this update, Tesla will finally let you manually make the browser full-screen. While this will make Tesla’s Theater apps a little redundant since they just loaded the website of the selected streaming service, you’ll now be able to stream any video service full screen, as long as the service supports Tesla’s browser.
As expected, the full-screen button will only be available while the vehicle is parked.
Checking Compatibility and Availability
Owners can verify their vehicle’s compatibility with the new full-screen visualizations while parked and driving by navigating to Controls > Software > Additional Vehicle Info on their Tesla’s touchscreen. This update is tailored for Tesla vehicles equipped with the AMD Ryzen processor.
Elon Musk liked a post on X that wrapped up a difficult day for Tesla. The post read: Elon re-enters wartime CEO mode. Musk also changed his X profile picture back to the Devil’s Champion costume he wore in 2022 for Halloween. The wartime post by Tesla insider @ChrisZheng001 comes after the company announced a major reduction to its global workforce by over 10%. This decision affects roughly 14,000 employees across various levels and departments. Musk also said goodbye to several long-term, key executives.
Musk’s Wartime Shift: A Strategic Necessity
The concept of a "wartime CEO" versus a "peacetime CEO" originates from Ben Horowitz, a renowned venture capitalist and co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz. In his book, "The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers," Horowitz describes a wartime CEO as a leader who operates under conditions of extreme stress and competition, making tough, fast decisions necessary for survival. This contrasts with a peacetime CEO focusing on expansion, culture, and development during more stable periods.
About every 5 years, we need to reorganize and streamline the company for the next phase of growth
Musk's recent re-adoption of the wartime CEO posture is a strategic maneuver as Tesla faces significant internal and external challenges. With the electric vehicle market becoming increasingly competitive and Tesla initiating major projects like the Robotaxi, Musk’s leadership style has aligned with these high-stakes circumstances.
Executive Departures, Overhauling Workforce
The company plans to overhaul its workforce, reducing its size by over 10 percent to eliminate redundancy and enhance productivity. Simultaneously, Tesla is pushing forward with significant technological innovations that promise to redefine its future. Such intense transformation and challenge periods necessitate a wartime approach, where decisiveness and direct action are paramount.
The layoffs coincide with the departure of several high-profile executives, including Drew Baglino, Senior Vice President of Powertrain and Energy, who had been with Tesla for 18 years, and Rohan Patel, Vice President of Public Policy and Business Development and an eight-year veteran of Tesla. Both executives have decided to leave the company to focus on personal priorities and have no immediate plans for future engagements.
The Role of a Wartime CEO at Tesla
Musk focuses sharply on navigating Tesla through these turbulent times as a wartime CEO. This includes making hard decisions on layoffs, streamlining operations, and prioritizing critical projects over others. Musk noted in his layoff announcement to staff via email.
There is nothing I hate more, but it must be done. This will enable us to be lean, innovative, and hungry for the next growth phase cycle.
However, adopting a wartime mentality may impact Tesla's corporate culture, potentially leading to a more hierarchical and less collaborative environment in the short term. Musk is also aware of that and addressed it in the same email, stating: For those remaining, I would like to thank you in advance for the difficult job that remains ahead. We are developing some of the most revolutionary technologies in auto, energy, and artificial intelligence. As we prepare the company for the next growth phase, your resolve will make a huge difference in getting us there.
Conclusion: Preparing for Tesla’s Next Big Leap
As Tesla continues under Musk’s wartime leadership, the emphasis is on rapid adaptation and the successful rollout of new technologies. The company's ability to manage these changes effectively and maintain its competitive edge in the electric vehicle market will be crucial. The ultimate goal of this wartime approach is to ensure that Tesla not only survives the current challenges but emerges stronger and more innovative, ready to lead the next phase of growth in the automotive and energy sectors.
This shift back to wartime CEO mode is a critical strategy for Musk and Tesla. It signals a period of intense focus and strategic recalibration aimed at securing Tesla’s position as a leader in the global push for sustainable transport and energy solutions.
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