Tesla Semi Charges Toward 2026 with Game-Changing Updates and Bold Charging Plans

At the 2025 ACT Expo, Tesla’s Dan Priestley, Senior Manager of the Tesla Semi program, unveiled transformative updates for the Class 8 electric truck, signaling a robust push toward scaled production in 2026. Out of Spec Bits’ coverage captured Priestley’s presentation, highlighting Tesla’s unwavering commitment to electrifying freight transport with a low-cost, high-efficiency product poised to redefine industry standards.

Factory Milestones and Production Goals

Tesla’s Nevada Gigafactory, spanning 1.7 million square feet, is nearing completion, with exterior construction largely finished and internal utilities being installed. By 2026, the facility aims to produce 50,000 Tesla Semis annually, a target Priestley reaffirmed. “We are proud to be building Semis in the United States,” he said, emphasizing capital-efficient manufacturing to deliver competitive pricing. The first trucks will join Tesla’s own logistics fleet, showcasing confidence in the product’s reliability and mission to electrify supply chains.

Refined Design and Enhanced Efficiency

With 7.9 million miles logged across its test fleet, Tesla has fine-tuned the Semi based on real-world data. The truck now boasts a new high-performance (HP) battery, domestically sourced, that maintains the same 500-mile (long-range) or 300-mile (standard-range) capabilities with less energy, thanks to a 7% efficiency boost.

“This lowers our cost, lowers our weight, and makes a better product for the customer,” Priestley noted.

Additional updates include redesigned mirrors for better aerodynamics, drop glass for easier gate interactions, and a slew of driver-centric improvements, ensuring operational ease in diverse settings like food service and car hauling.

Pioneering Charging Solutions

Tesla is tackling charging infrastructure head-on with a 1.2-megawatt V4 charging solution, leveraging Supercharger technology for reliability and scale. This compact system, reducing equipment footprint by over 50%, offers flexible configurations, from dedicated 1.2 MW posts to power-sharing for up to eight trucks. A forthcoming overnight charging product caters to off-shift fleets, while 46 public charging sites, representing over 300 MW-capable posts, are under construction along major truck routes. “We aim to offer the lowest cost of energy,” Priestley said, ensuring operating costs beat diesel.

Electric Power Takeoff: Expanding Capabilities

A standout innovation is the Electric Power Takeoff (EPTO), enabling the Semi to power electrified trailers, such as climate-controlled reefers, with over 25 kilowatts across various voltages. This feature supports broader electrification, reducing reliance on diesel-powered equipment. “We want to hear what your requirements are,” Priestley urged, inviting collaboration to tailor solutions for diverse fleet needs.

EVXL’s Take

Tesla’s relentless focus on efficiency, infrastructure, and customer collaboration sets the Semi apart in a hesitant industry. The EPTO and V4 charging solutions aren’t just tech wins—they’re lifelines for fleet operators craving flexibility and cost savings. Picture a trucker pulling into a compact, reliable charging hub, knowing their reefer trailer’s humming along, all-electric, at a fraction of diesel’s cost. That’s the future Tesla’s building, and it’s electrifyingly close. Yet, the real test lies in execution—can Tesla scale this vision without hiccups? For EV enthusiasts and fleet managers, 2026 can’t come soon enough.

Photos courtesy of Out of Spec Bits.