During the recent reopening of Gigafactory Berlin, Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed plans to commence production of the Tesla Semi, the company’s electric semi-truck, at the facility. However, Musk stressed the importance of initiating volume production in the United States before expanding operations overseas.
The announcement came amidst the backdrop of Gigafactory Berlin’s temporary closure following an arson attack that disrupted its power supply for over a week. Currently, Tesla’s Berlin facility exclusively manufactures the Model Y.
Local German media outlets reported Musk’s remarks regarding Tesla’s intention to introduce Tesla Semi production at Gigafactory Berlin. However, no specific timeline for the project was provided during the event. Notably, Tesla had not announced any new vehicle programs beyond the Model Y for the Berlin facility prior to Musk’s statement.
Despite the ambitious plans, significant groundwork is anticipated before the commencement of Tesla Semi production. Presently, the electric semi-truck is only in low-volume production at a facility adjacent to Gigafactory Nevada.
Tesla’s expansion plans for Gigafactory Nevada, announced in January 2023, included the addition of Tesla Semi production alongside 4680 battery cell manufacturing. However, progress on the expansion was stagnant for a year until Tesla broke ground on the project in January 2024. Nonetheless, the timeline for initiating production of the electric semi-truck remains uncertain.
Electrek, a notable industry observer, offered insights into the challenges facing the Tesla Semi program. Despite initial delays between prototype and production, the program now faces further setbacks, with potential delays in transitioning to volume production.
Musk’s earlier statement about ramping up Tesla Semi production to 50,000 units in 2024 appears optimistic in light of current circumstances. Electrek expressed skepticism regarding Tesla’s ability to achieve significant production volumes this year, citing potential program mismanagement or unforeseen obstacles.
