Nearly a Decade Later, the Electric Tesla Semi Is Here

EU regulators will discuss Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system on October 6 but will not vote, according to a draft agenda. The Dutch regulator granted provisional approval in April, and seven member states have recognized it. Germany and France have raised safety concerns, particularly about speed limits. Tesla claims the system is 4.1 times safer than manual driving, but regulators are scrutinizing the data.

Tesla (TSLA) has started high-volume production of its electric Semi truck at a new Nevada factory, aiming for 50,000 units annually. Initial customers include PepsiCo, US Foods, and DHL. Musk mentioned a significant waiting list and plans for autonomous driving features, citing lower electricity costs. Recent orders total 3,000 trucks from cargo-shipping companies and Einride.

Tesla's insurance business expansion faced a setback as New York regulators rejected its proposal, citing concerns over VIN-based eligibility. Tesla's insurance entities generated $644.2M in direct written premiums in H1 2026, with California contributing $477.8M. The rejection highlights regulatory hurdles for Tesla's data-driven insurance model, which uses driving data from Tesla vehicles.

Tesla has begun delivering its Semi truck to commercial fleets after years of delays. The launch, targeted at fleet managers, focuses on reliability and cost savings. Tesla aims to compete in the $800 billion commercial vehicle market, where rivals like Ford and Rivian have already made inroads. The company highlights the Semi's integration with its Supercharger network, though questions remain about infrastructure scalability.

Tesla has begun delivering its Semi electric truck to initial customers, including PepsiCo and DHL, nine years after its unveiling. The company did not disclose pricing or production volume. A new alliance, ZET SCALE, ordered 2,500 Semis, with Tesla as the primary supplier. The Semi's range is 500 miles for the long-range version and 325 miles for the standard. Tesla's Semi production was delayed, with the first truck coming off the line in April 2024.

Tesla China extended discounts on Model 3 and Model Y through October, reducing the Model Y discount to 7,000 yuan. The offer includes financing perks and applies to new and test-drive vehicles. Tesla's China sales fell 12.4% year-over-year in August, with Model Y sales down 25.8%.