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Tesla Semi now costs $260‑300k, uses 548‑822 kWh batteries and secured a $100 M order for 370 trucks, signaling a shift in electric freight.
The Tesla Semi’s official price tags of $260,000 for the base model and $300,000 for the long‑range version, together with a 548 kWh (base) and 822 kWh (long‑range) battery pack, were filed with California regulators this week [1]. The specs come as WattEV placed a $100 million order for 370 Semis, the largest commercial commitment yet for Tesla’s Class 8 truck [1].
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Price (base) | $260,000 |
| Price (long‑range) | $300,000 |
| Battery capacity (base) | 548 kWh |
| Battery capacity (long‑range) | 822 kWh |
| Major order | 370 trucks, $100 M |
Tesla’s filing shows the Semi’s range claims have narrowed to 320 miles for the base model and 480 miles for the long‑range version, close to the 500‑mile target Musk set in 2017 [1]. The battery packs are an order of magnitude larger than those in Tesla’s Model 3 (≈64 kWh), underscoring the energy demand of a Class 8 vehicle. At $260‑300 kWh, the Semi is priced above the median diesel truck ($172,500 for 2025 models) but well below the $411,000 median for comparable battery‑electric trucks [1].
WattEV’s order of 370 Semis, funded with more than $100 million, will be delivered in phases—50 trucks this year and the remainder by the end of 2027—supported by megawatt‑scale chargers in California’s Central Valley [1]. This commitment gives Tesla a foothold in a segment that accounts for 8 % of road vehicles but 35 % of transport‑related CO₂ emissions [1]. By contrast, Tesla’s earlier low‑cost EV projects, such as the abandoned “Model 2,” have stalled, and rivals in China already produce cheaper electric trucks [2].
Tesla’s ability to scale Semi production and secure large fleet orders will test whether electric freight can compete on cost and performance with diesel trucks, while the company’s broader product strategy—evident in its parallel work on a smaller, cheaper SUV—remains uncertain. The outcome will shape the pace of electrification in heavy‑duty transport.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 2 outlets · Jun 26, 2026 · How we report
Tesla was founded in 2003 as Tesla Motors by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning.
The Model 3 starts around $48,000 and the Model Y starts just over $67,000.
The Model Y is identified as Tesla's most popular model.
The Model X, featuring Falcon Wing doors and seating for up to seven, is the most expensive Tesla model.
Tesla is planning to introduce the Cybertruck pickup, the Semi truck, and a second‑generation Roadster.