Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Want to Reserve a Tesla Semi? Get Out Your Wallet

Nearly five years after Elon Musk introduced his electric Class 8 Tesla Semi in a flashy launch event, Tesla has started taking deposits for the truck, at $20,000 each.

May 18, 2022
Want to Reserve a Tesla Semi? Get Out Your Wallet

It's still unclear when the Tesla Semi electric Class 8 truck will actually start production.

Photo: Tesla

2 min to read


Nearly five years after Elon Musk introduced his electric Class 8 Tesla Semi in a flashy launch event, Tesla has started taking deposits for the truck, at $20,000 each.

However, potential buyers still don’t know when they will actually get their trucks. According to published reports, the Semi won’t be released this year, and it could be next year or later.

Ad Loading...

The Semi has seen a string of delays since the Semi was unveiled in 2017; at that time, it had a projected date of 2019 for availability. Last fall, supply-chain problems caused Tesla to once again push out the estimated date for production. Most recent indications were 2023 would be the earliest.

According to the Tesla website, Semi reservations require an initial $5,000 credit card payment. A $15,000 wire transfer payment is required for the first Tesla Semi, plus a $20,000 wire transfer for each additional Tesla Semi. Wire transfers are due within 10 days.

Those deposits presumably will be applied toward the Tesla selling price. In 2017, the company posted prices at $150,000 on its Standard variant, and $180,000 for its extended-range version.

Ad Loading...

Among the companies that previously said they had placed orders were Albertson’s, Anheuser-Busch, Golden State Foods, J.B. Hunt, PepsiCo, Pride Group, Schneider, UPS, and Walmart.

Tesla was noticeably absent at last week’s Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Long Beach, California, while attendees waited in long lines for a ride-and-drive of Nikola Tre electric trucks, the new Freightliner eCascadia, Hyundai’s fuel-cell electric, and other zero-emissions commercial vehicles.

More Fuel Smarts

Fuel Smartsby StaffSeptember 21, 2026

New California Law Could Shed Light on Electric Truck Prices

Why do battery-electric Class 8 trucks remain so expensive? A California bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom would give fleets and state agencies more visibility into what manufacturers charge.

Read More →
Video still of Volvo's Duane Tegels explaining the Volvo D13 diesel engine for EPA 2027 emissions
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeSeptember 16, 2026

How Volvo Updated Its D13 for EPA 2027 [Watch]

Volvo’s updated D13 promises lower emissions without sacrificing performance or fuel economy. Take a closer look at what changed inside the engine in this HDT Spotlight video.

Read More →
Collage of fuel options for trucks - renewable diesel, renewable natural gas, diesel, and electric
Fuel Smartsby StaffSeptember 15, 2026

Diesel Price Spike Shortens Payback for Natural Gas Trucks, Report Says

Energy Vision estimates fleets could recover the higher purchase price of an RNG-fueled Class 8 tractor in 1.3 to 2.8 years under current fuel-price scenarios.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration showing the Calstart, Forth, and Catalyst Mobility logos
Fuel Smartsby StaffSeptember 14, 2026

Calstart Becomes Catalyst Mobility, Reflecting Broader Focus

Calstart is now Catalyst Mobility, reflecting the nonprofit’s growing national role in clean transportation, including zero-emission trucks, infrastructure and incentive programs.

Read More →
Illustration with oil wells, dollar bills, and a diesel fuel pump
Fuel SmartsSeptember 9, 2026

Record Diesel Prices Squeeze Trucking Fleets

Average U.S. diesel prices have climbed to nearly $6 a gallon, surpassing the 2022 record as tight refinery capacity and Middle East disruptions keep fuel costs elevated.

Read More →
A red engine part
SponsoredSeptember 9, 2026

How Fuel Delivery Shapes Engine Performance

Fuel delivery depends on more than what happens at the injector. For fleet, maintenance and technical professionals, looking at the full path from pump to injector can provide useful context for understanding engine performance.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Port of Newark EV truck charging station.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseSeptember 8, 2026

East Coast Port Launches $45M Electric Truck Push

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced millions in incentives for zero-emission drayage trucks, yard tractors, and new charging hubs near the port.

Read More →
Illustration of Freightliner Cascadia on highway with engine cutaway
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeAugust 27, 2026

Detroit Opens Orders for EPA 2027 Engines

Detroit isn’t starting from scratch to meet EPA 2027 diesel emissions standards. Its Gen 6 DD13 and DD15 engines keep much of today’s platform while updating the fuel and aftertreatment systems.

Read More →
Group of people and zero-emission trucks during ceremony announcing a West Coast ZEV corridor.
Fuel Smartsby News/Media ReleaseAugust 26, 2026

Zero-Emission Truck Corridor Planned for West Coast

California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Baja California are coordinating plans for truck charging and hydrogen fueling from Canada to Mexico.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
YouTube thumbnail showing Kenworth T880e electric truck and KW marketing director Kyle Kimball.
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeAugust 25, 2026

A Closer Look at Kenworth’s Electric T880E Vocational Truck [Video]

Learn more about Kenworth's T880E battery-electric vocational truck at the Paccar Technical Center, including its range, applications, upfitting considerations, and PTO options, in this HDT Spotlight video.

Read More →