Tesla Semi (2022) vs Tesla Semi (2026)
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| TeslaSemi (2022) | TeslaSemi (2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | December 2022 | 2026 |
| Performance | ||
| Powertrain | Electric | Electric |
| Power | – | 1,073 bhp |
| Engine or motors | Three electric motors, described in MotorTrend's inspection of PepsiCo's delivered truck. Tesla did not publish a model-specific power figure in the cited delivery report; battery capacity and inferred power from shared motor components are omitted | Three electric motors; Tesla quotes drive power up to 800 kW, equivalent to approximately 1,073 bhp. Battery capacity is not published |
| Drive | Three electric motors; central driving position | Three electric motors; independent front suspension |
| Practicality | ||
| Body | Truck | Truck |
| Seats | 2 | 2 |
| Towing | Tesla's delivery demonstration used approximately 82,000 lb gross combination weight, including tractor, trailer and load (MotorTrend's account of the Tesla presentation) | US gross combination weight 82,000 lb; this includes tractor, trailer and load, rather than representing towing capacity alone. UK advertised gross combination weight 40 tonnes. Electric power take-off up to 25 kW |
| Size | Central driver seat and passenger jump seat behind and to the right; MotorTrend inspected the delivered cab in January 2023. Tesla's cited delivery report does not publish overall dimensions or kerb weight | US kerb weight: Standard Range less than 20,000 lb; Long Range 23,000 lb. UK Standard Range less than 9,100 kg. Overall length and width are not published on the range pages. Central driver seat and a second jump seat behind and to the right, documented in MotorTrend's tested production cab |
| Release and generation details | Tesla's Q4 2022 report states pilot production began in the fourth quarter and first deliveries took place in December 2022. The maker photograph shows the delivered Frito-Lay truck in that report, with its original fleet livery and depot background preserved | Tesla's US page states deliveries start in 2026; MotorTrend's September 2026 launch drive reports customer handovers. Its UK page advertises deliveries starting in 2027. This production design differs from the 2022 pilot trucks; the 2027 model-year label in US reviews is not its first delivery year |
| Range and charging | ||
| Fastest charging | – | 1,200 kW |
| Range detail | Tesla's delivery presentation described a 500-mile trip with a loaded trailer. This is a manufacturer demonstration rather than a WLTP range figure; no standardised range is entered in the comparison table | US manufacturer estimates: Standard Range 325 miles; Long Range 500 miles. These are not WLTP figures. Tesla's estimates use 82,000 lb gross combination weight, 55 mph, 20°C, flat ground and a tandem-axle aerodynamic kit with a CARB-compliant dry-van trailer. UK Standard Range is advertised at an estimated 550 km under separate 40-tonne, 80 km/h conditions |
| Charging | MotorTrend documented proprietary high-power charging at PepsiCo's Modesto site. The site's charger rating does not establish the truck's maximum charge acceptance; the 2026 production truck's 1.2 MW claim does not apply here | US Megacharger peak up to 1.2 MW; up to 60% range recovery in 30 minutes. Tesla also advertises a 120 kW Basecharger with up to 60% in four hours, with that time applying to Long Range. UK Standard Range advertises charging up to 800 kW; do not transfer US peak figures to that regional specification |
| Efficiency | – | US estimate 1.7 kWh/mile under Tesla's stated loaded test conditions; UK estimate 1.0 kWh/km under different conditions. Trailer, tyre and fairing choices affect consumption |
| Tech and safety | ||
| Infotainment | Two driver displays and pop-out side windows, documented in MotorTrend's inspection of PepsiCo's pilot truck | Two cab displays, heated and ventilated driver seat, acoustic glass, remote fleet diagnostics and over-the-air updates (Tesla) |
