Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Tesla Semi in 2023?

Supply-chain problems have caused Tesla to once again push out its estimated date for production of its battery-electric Class 8 Semi truck.

Deborah Lockridge
Deborah LockridgeEditor and Associate Publisher
Read Deborah's Posts
October 11, 2021
Tesla Semi in 2023?

Tesla's electric Semi is now not expected until 2023.

Photo: Tesla

2 min to read


Supply-chain problems have caused Tesla to once again push out its estimated date for production of its battery-electric Class 8 Semi truck.

According to published reports, during the 2021 Tesla shareholder meeting, co-founder and CEO Elon Musk explained that supply chain issues for batteries, automotive chips, and other components have been limiting production of all Tesla products.

Ad Loading...

Musk said that no matter how many more vehicle models the company sold, it wouldn’t be able to deliver more units this year. Considering how many more batteries and chips the Semi needs compared to a Tesla passenger car, it is being delayed until these supply chains ramp up, noted CleanTechnica.

The Tesla Cybertruck is delayed until the end of 2022 for the same reasons.

“It really wouldn’t matter if we had the Semi or Cybertruck or anything, we just wouldn’t be able to make it,” Musk said.

Ad Loading...

“I think most likely what we’ll see is Cybertruck start production in the next year, and then reach volume production in 2023. And, hopefully, we can also be producing the Semi and the new Roadster in ‘23 as well. So, we should be through our severe supply chain shortages in ‘23. I’m optimistic that that will be the case.”

It’s the latest delay in a string of them since the Semi was unveiled in 2017 with a projected date of 2019 for availability. As recently as late July, a second-quarter earnings report pushed expected Semi production out to 2022. Back in January, Musk said the Tesla Semi was ready for production, held back only by a limited ability to get battery cells, but he was optimistic that the setback was only temporary.

Tesla, of course, is not the only vehicle manufacturer suffering from an inability to get critical components. Transportation intelligence firm FTR recently estimated that there are already 13,000 to 20,000 Class 8 trucks that are not yet completely built because they need semiconductors as well as other parts.

Another possible factor in this latest delay, noted CleanTechnica, is that Jerome Guillen, the longtime Tesla exec who was put over the Semi project in March, left the company in June.

Also during that shareholder’s meeting, Musk announced Tesla will move its headquarters from Silcon Valley in Fremont, California, to Austin, Texas. He cited affordability, space and convenience as some of the reasons behind the move.

Ad Loading...

Musk has been hinting at the move since May of 2020, when California COVID-19 restrictions temporarily shut down Tesla's operations in Fremont. He called the restrictions "fascist.”

More Fuel Smarts

Four men in suits on the National Mall with giant video screen showing capitol building in the background
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJuly 10, 2026

EPA Proposal Could Ease 2027 Truck Costs and Buying Uncertainty

The proposal doesn't change the tougher NOx standard, but it would revise key implementation requirements that manufacturers say have driven up costs and complicated fleet purchasing decisions.

Read More →
Illustration showing Paccar MX engine with sketch illustration of DEF fill tank in background
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJuly 7, 2026

Cummins, Paccar Ease DEF Derates After EPA Guidance

Updated diesel engine software gives truck operators more time to address emissions-system issues while staying compliant with EPA emissions standards.

Read More →
Illustration with wrenches in background with "Maintenance in the Messy Middle: Biodiesel" text and NACFE Run on Less logo
Maintenanceby Jack RobertsJuly 2, 2026

Maintenance in the Messy Middle Part 3: Biodiesel

Biodiesel can reduce emissions, improve fuel-system lubricity and use existing diesel infrastructure. But NACFE’s Messy Middle maintenance report says fleets must actively manage storage, cold-weather operation, filters and oil drain intervals to avoid problems.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
thermo king heavy duty trucking
SponsoredJuly 1, 2026

Enhance Fleet Performance with High-Efficiency Auxiliary Power Units

Drive sustainable cost savings while increasing driver comfort during short- and long-haul logistics operations.

Read More →
Illustration with wrenches in background with "Maintenance in the Messy Middle: Renewable Diesel" text and NACFE Run on Less logo
Maintenanceby Jack RobertsJune 29, 2026

Maintenance in the ‘Messy Middle’ Part 2: Renewable Diesel Fuel

NACFE's latest Messy Middle Powertrain Service & Maintenance report says renewable diesel gives fleets an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions without changing trucks, fueling infrastructure or maintenance practices. But technicians still need to understand several important operational differences.

Read More →
Illustration messy middle maintenance diesel with wrenches in background
Maintenanceby Jack RobertsJune 26, 2026

The Diesel Engine Enters NACFE’s ‘Messy Middle’

NACFE’s new Messy Middle Powertrain Service & Maintenance report says keeping modern diesel engines running now depends as much on software, diagnostics and data as traditional mechanical service.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration showing DEF tank and Detroit engine
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJune 18, 2026

DTNA Software Update Gives Truckers More Time Before DEF Derates Take Effect

The changes reflect EPA guidance aimed at reducing downtime caused by emissions-system faults while maintaining compliance requirements.

Read More →
Illustration of exhaust aftertreatment system on an AI-inspired blue background and a green fuel pump nozzle in the foreground.
Maintenanceby Deborah LockridgeJune 15, 2026

New Agentic Predictive Maintenance Report Demonstrates How Degraded Aftertreatment Systems Waste Fuel

Questar analyzed a large mixed-class fleet and discovered it was wasting as much as $30 in fuel per vehicle, per day, because of mechanically degraded aftertreatment systems.

Read More →
Amazon electric cargo bike on New York City street
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJune 15, 2026

New York City's Microhub Project is Delivering Results

Trucking, last-mile delivery companies, and environmental advocates like what they are seeing so far with New York's microhub program.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Red Kenworth truck pulling Paper Transport trailer
Fuel Smartsby Deborah LockridgeJune 2, 2026

Lessons Learned About Alternative Fuels: Start Small, Stay Flexible

Practical advice on adopting alternative fuels and ZEVs from HDT's 2026 Top Green Fleets, from renewable diesel and natural gas to electric trucks.

Read More →