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Tesla Semi Begins Limited Production at Giga Nevada, Is Years Away From Volume Production

According to drone footage posted on YouTube, the Tesla Semi has entered limited production at Giga Semi Nevada. The electric semi-truck is still two years away from volume production. The video shows a Tesla Semi prototype doing testing rounds in the factory’s yard, presumably as part of a customer testing program.
Tesla Semi entered limited production at Giga Nevada 11 photos
Photo: Youtube video
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One of the most anticipated launches of this decade is that of Tesla’s electric semi-truck, aptly named “Semi.” Although Elon Musk promised back in 2017 that this revolutionary truck will be storming the roads in 2019, and later delayed it until the “end of 2021,” it appears that the full volume production will not start for at least another two years.

Nevertheless, a new fly-over video made public by Tesla enthusiast Sawyer Merritt shows a Tesla Semi prototype performing some basic tests in the factory backyard, including acceleration, braking, and turning without a trailer. According to the video posted on YouTube, the prototype did not have any Department of Transportation stickers or manufacturer plates, so this must have been fresh out of the factory.

Sawyer Merritt assumes the prototype belongs to a limited customer testing program, like the one announced by PepsiCo in November. The beverage company was expected to take delivery of the first eight units by the end of this year, but Tesla’s Musk confirmed this will not be the case. The main problem seems to lie with the new 4680-type Li-Ion batteries, which are still to be produced in meaningful numbers. The chip crisis is also a contributing factor, affecting all car manufacturers.

If Pepsi does receive some Tesla Semi’s this year, I view it as a customer test program. Pepsi will use them in the real world & relay info back to Tesla on how it goes & what they can improve. At least that’s my guess,” says Sawyer Merritt in a Twitter post. He also believes the volume production will not start until 2023.

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About the author: Cristian Agatie
Cristian Agatie profile photo

After his childhood dream of becoming a "tractor operator" didn't pan out, Cristian turned to journalism, first in print and later moving to online media. His top interests are electric vehicles and new energy solutions.
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