Tesla $TSLA ( ▲ 1.89% ) is now quoting $290,000 for the long range version of its long awaited Semi truck, a sharp jump from the original $180,000 price floated years ago. Even with the increase, the electric rig is still priced well below the average cost of a zero emission Class 8 truck, which stood around $435,000 in 2024.
That puts Tesla roughly $145,000 under many competitors as it prepares to finally push the Semi into volume production.
Price Hike, But Still Competitive
The updated pricing aligns with data from California’s HVIP voucher program, which has listed Tesla Semi costs in the high $200,000 range. While the nearly 60% jump from the original unveiling price sounds steep, inflation and rising manufacturing costs across the industry have shifted the baseline for heavy duty EVs.
Tesla $TSLA is offering a 500 mile range, 1.2 megawatt peak charging, and efficiency of about 1.7 kWh per mile. Those specs, combined with a lower sticker price than many rivals, help keep the Semi in a competitive position despite the higher tag.
Incentives and Payback Math
California has earmarked about $165 million in HVIP vouchers specifically for Tesla Semi purchases, with individual incentives ranging from $84,000 to $351,000. Tesla has also partnered with Uber Freight to provide additional fleet discounts, which could lower the effective purchase price for some operators.
Supporters argue the truck can pay for itself within a few years thanks to lower fuel and maintenance costs compared to diesel. Critics counter that those calculations often exclude the upfront cost of charging infrastructure and the realities of building out depot power capacity.
Big Ambitions, Real-World Hurdles
Tesla $TSLA says the Semi is designed for autonomy and plans to begin production this year after years of delays. The company still needs to expand its Megacharger network for long haul routes and prove it can support fleets with reliable service and parts.
Even so, at $290,000, Tesla is positioning the Semi as one of the most aggressively priced long range electric trucks on the market, betting that scale, efficiency, and incentives can help overcome the remaining challenges.