Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) has begun “high volume production” of its electric Semi truck at a new factory in Nevada, chief executive Elon Musk said on Thursday, with the company targeting annual production of 50,000 units.
Tesla formally inaugurated the facility in Sparks, Nevada, at an event on Thursday evening. Production began at the site in late April, and the plant is the company’s first factory dedicated to manufacturing the Semi.
PepsiCo, US Foods and DHL Among Customers
Tesla executives said PepsiCo and US Foods are among the initial customers for the electric truck, while DHL was also identified as a major customer.
Musk, speaking in a pre-recorded video shown during the event, said the waiting list for the Semi was “already pretty significant.”
Tesla is targeting production capacity of 50,000 Semi trucks annually at the Nevada facility. The source did not specify a timetable for reaching that production level.
Tesla Plans Autonomous Driving Features for Semi
Musk said Tesla eventually plans to introduce its autonomous driving technology to the Semi.
He also said the electric truck offered an economic case for operators, citing lower electricity costs per mile compared with diesel.
The claims regarding operating costs and future autonomous capabilities reflect statements from Tesla and Musk, and the supplied information did not provide independent cost comparisons or a timetable for the introduction of autonomous driving features.
Tesla Receives Orders for Additional Semi Trucks
Tesla this week received an order for 2,500 Semi trucks from a coalition of cargo-shipping companies that includes Microsoft and PepsiCo, according to data from transportation nonprofit Catalyst Mobility.
The order followed a separate commitment from Swedish freight technology company Einride for 500 Tesla Semi trucks.
The orders come as Tesla increases production at its dedicated Nevada facility, although delivery schedules for the vehicles were not specified in the supplied information.