Tesla has completed raising the main steel structure for its new Tesla Semi factory, with production slated to begin in 2025. Although the Tesla Semi program faced significant delays since its 2017 unveiling, it seems to be moving forward. Initially set for a 2020 market release, the production version finally entered manufacturing in late 2022.
However, progress was slow, and as of October 2023, only around 70 Tesla Semis were built, primarily for internal use and PepsiCo, its main customer. In January 2023, Tesla announced plans to expand its Gigafactory in Nevada to ramp up production of the Semi, but over a year passed with little news on the project.
Earlier this year, Tesla began construction at the new factory site adjacent to the existing Gigafactory, which shifted the expansion plan from adding to the current facility to building a new one. Tesla has confirmed that the new factory will be completed next year, with production of the Tesla Semi expected to start by late 2025.
As the year draws to a close, Tesla has provided an update on the progress at the plant through Dan Priestley, head of the Tesla Semi program, on X:
Yesterday, Semi Factory Nevada topped off the main area of the building with the last major piece of structural steel! Fantastic design and execution by this construction team and our contractor partners with focus on safety and efficiency. This factory is going to rock!
The structure was assembled quickly, but there is still more work ahead before Tesla can begin production. The company plans to fully set up the factory throughout 2025 and aims to start production of the Tesla Semi on the new lines by the end of the year. Recently, we’ve reported that Tesla is gradually delivering the Tesla Semi to other customers, with progress moving in a positive direction.
