Tesla Confirms $290,000 Price for 500-Mile Electric Semi Truck
Tesla has finally revealed real-world pricing for its long-awaited electric Class 8 truck. According to a customer quote obtained by industry sources, the 500-mile Long Range version of the Tesla Semi is priced at $290,000, excluding destination fees and taxes.
The figure aligns with data from California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP), administered by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), bringing long-overdue clarity after years of speculation.
From 2017 Promises to 2026 Reality
When Tesla unveiled the Semi in 2017, the company advertised:
- $150,000 for a 300-mile version
- $180,000 for a 500-mile version
Those prices were never officially updated—until now. At $290,000, the Long Range Semi is roughly 60% more expensive than the original $180,000 figure. Even adjusted for inflation, the 2017 price would be closer to $240,000, meaning the production truck still carries a notable premium.
HVIP Data Confirms Semi Pricing
California state documents list Tesla Semi pricing at:
- Standard Range (325 miles): ~$260,000
- Long Range (500 miles): ~$300,000
The newly revealed $290,000 customer quote sits comfortably within that range and slightly under earlier fears of even steeper increases.
Final Tesla Semi Specifications
Tesla recently confirmed final specs for both variants:
Standard Range
- Range: 325 miles
- Gross combination weight rating: 82,000 lbs
- Curb weight: under 20,000 lbs
Long Range
- Range: 500 miles
- Curb weight: ~23,000 lbs
- Peak charging power: 1.2 MW
Shared across both versions
- Energy efficiency: 1.7 kWh per mile
- Three electric motors
- 800 kW of power
- Architecture designed for future autonomy
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Tesla Semi
How Competitive Is the Price?
Despite the sharp increase from early promises, Tesla’s pricing remains aggressive:
- Average cost of a zero-emission Class 8 truck in 2024: ~$435,000
- Tesla undercuts the market by roughly $145,000
Some competing manufacturers have raised prices to maximize incentive capture, making Tesla’s strategy look especially competitive.
California has earmarked nearly $165 million in HVIP vouchers specifically for Tesla Semi purchases—around 992 vouchers valued between $84,000 and $351,000 each. This has triggered criticism from rivals who argue Tesla is receiving preferential treatment for a truck that is still ramping up production.
Tesla has also partnered with Uber Freight on a fleet accelerator program, potentially lowering the effective purchase price further for qualifying operators.
Total Cost of Ownership: Diesel vs Electric
Even at $290,000, Tesla Semi can make financial sense:
- Price premium over a new diesel Class 8 truck: ~$110,000
- Electricity cost assumption: ~$0.18 per kWh
- Estimated payback period: ~4 years for local and regional distribution
Long-haul use will depend heavily on:
- Deployment of Tesla’s Megacharger network
- Real-world fast-charging electricity prices
- Slight payload penalties for heavier freight
Verdict
Yes, the Tesla Semi is far more expensive than what was promised back in 2017. But nearly a decade later, costs across the trucking industry have risen sharply—and at $290,000, a 500-mile electric semi with 1.2 MW charging and class-leading efficiency is still priced to compete.
If Tesla delivers on volume production this year after nearly six years of delays, the Semi could quickly become one of the strongest contenders in the electric Class 8 truck market.
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