17:05 19-12-2025

Inside Tesla Semi's refreshed design and production plans

Tesla Semi program director Dan Priestley said the electric tractor has undergone major improvements following a design refresh. He noted that he personally tested the reworked version and believes the changes will resonate with customers. Involved with the Semi since 2015, Priestley has overseen its development through every phase, and the confidence from someone so close to the project speaks volumes.

The updates were first outlined at Tesla’s 2025 shareholders’ meeting. The company reshaped the truck’s exterior with a clear focus on efficiency: a redesigned front bumper with improved aero channels, a more compact panoramic windshield, a smoother roofline, and a light bar in the brand’s current design language. All of it aims to cut aerodynamic drag. The cleaner, more purposeful look isn’t just cosmetic—on long-haul EVs, every point of aero matters.

The redesign coincided with completion of the Semi Factory on the Gigafactory Nevada site. Tesla plans to ramp up production next year. Elon Musk said demand for the Semi remains exceptionally high. Major customers in the pilot program, including Frito-Lay and PepsiCo, are evaluating the trucks for range, efficiency, and reliability—exactly the kind of real-world scrutiny that shapes a commercial vehicle’s reputation.

The first large-scale user of the Tesla Semi will be Tesla itself, deploying the rigs for its own logistics needs. Beyond big corporate fleets, the electric hauler is also framed as a potential fit for small businesses focused on transport and lowering operating costs—an angle that, if the numbers add up, could quietly accelerate adoption.