ZET SCALE Orders 2500 Battery Electric Class 8 Trucks, Most Of Them From Tesla

Tesla's FSD system exceeded speed limits and attempted illegal overtakes, according to a Belgian safety group's tests. The group found the system often displayed incorrect speed limits and misapplied traffic rules. Tesla claims FSD does not speed excessively and adapts over time. The EU may vote on FSD approval on October 6.

A coalition of major shippers placed a record order for 2,500 Tesla Semi electric trucks, nearly doubling the U.S. fleet. The order, organized by ZET SCALE, aims to address diesel price volatility and air pollution. Tesla won a competitive bidding process, citing advantages in price, range, and charging capabilities. The order signals strong demand for electric trucks and highlights competitive risks for legacy manufacturers.

Tesla secured a lead role in a 2,500-truck electric Class 8 order, nearly doubling the U.S. electric Class 8 fleet. The order, organized by Catalyst Mobility and Smart Freight Centre, is the largest in the U.S. to date. Tesla's Semi was chosen for its lower cost per mile operations. The trucks will be leased through ZET Financial, mitigating residual-value risk for carriers.

Tesla produced its first Cybertruck with 4680 battery cells using lithium refined at its Texas facility. The milestone, confirmed by Tesla, marks the first in-house lithium refining by an automaker. The company aims to reduce exposure to lithium price volatility and supply chain disruptions. The refinery, costing over $1 billion, uses a proprietary acid-free process, reducing emissions and costs.

Tesla plans to unveil its next-generation Roadster on October 1, with market focus on design, performance, and production details. The launch could boost Tesla's premium brand positioning and technological narrative, but stock price impact may depend on technology demonstration and production commitments.

Fitch Ratings assigned Tesla (TSLA) a BBB rating and SpaceX (SPCX) a higher BBB+ rating. Tesla's rating reflects its $25B capital expenditure plans for 2026, which may lead to negative free cash flow. SpaceX's rating is supported by its leading position in commercial launches and growing Starlink connectivity revenue, which reached $4.3B in Q2. Tesla has $43.5B in cash and mid-teens EBITDA margins, while SpaceX has over $90B in pro forma liquidity.