Tesla’s highly anticipated redesigned Semi truck has been spotted in the wild for the first time, giving us the clearest real-world look at the next evolution of the all-electric Class 8 hauler. The sighting, captured by Tesla Semi watcher @HinrichsZane, showcases the refreshed Semi operating near Tesla’s Semi facilities in Nevada, marking a significant milestone for the program.
The truck was filmed near the west end of Giga Semi, where Tesla’s dedicated Semi factory is taking shape. The exclusive footage, which spans over 17 minutes, not only features the redesigned Semi but also showcases an operational Megacharger on site — a crucial piece of infrastructure needed to support Tesla’s commercial trucking ambitions. This marks the first confirmed public sighting of both the updated Semi and a live Megacharger at the facility.
The redesigned Semi was initially unveiled by Tesla back in November at the company’s annual shareholder meeting, where it debuted a sleeker look highlighted by a Model Y-style front light bar. The truck spotted in the recent footage appears to match that updated design, with several refinements visible compared to earlier prototypes.
In addition to its aesthetics, the redesigned Semi boasts approximately 15% better efficiency at around 1.7 kWh per mile, along with increased payload capacity. Tesla is still aiming for a 500-mile range, while peak charging speeds have significantly increased thanks to the Megacharger system.
Tesla further reinforced the charging capabilities of the Semi by posting footage on the official @tesla_semi account, showcasing engineers achieving an impressive 1.2 MW (1,206 kW) charging speed on a Semi. This industry-leading figure emphasizes the importance of Megachargers for high-utilization trucking fleets, especially when compared to Tesla’s consumer V4 Superchargers that max out at 350 kW.
Additional updates to the revamped Semi include reduced side window coverage, anti-slip diamond traction strips on the side steps, improved under-the-skin components, and a platform designed with future autonomy in mind. Drive power is expected to reach up to 800 kW, further enhancing performance under heavy loads.
The redesigned Semi will rely on Tesla’s in-house 4680 battery cells and is set to be produced at the new Semi factory near Gigafactory Nevada, with a target capacity of up to 50,000 units per year once fully ramped. Volume production is scheduled to commence in the first half of 2026, with customer deliveries following shortly after.
Now that the first real-world sighting has taken place, Tesla’s Semi program is entering a crucial new phase as we look ahead to 2026. Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking development in the world of electric commercial vehicles.