Pros and cons
Tesla Semi pros and cons — the honest buyer's verdict (2023)
4 min read·Last updated: 2023-01-01·By ev.care editorial team
TL;DR
4 pros, 4 cons. The Tesla Semi is best for us class 8 fleet operators with regional routes (300-500 mi) and depot charging — within that envelope it is one of the strongest picks in its segment.
Tesla has been at the EV game long enough that the Tesla Semi's pros and cons aren't speculation any more. Owners have logged thousands of miles, ev.care's network has serviced hundreds of units, and the 800 km real-world range is well-corroborated. Below are the 4 strongest reasons to buy and 4 honest reasons to think twice.
Tesla Semi — the pros
Day-to-day, this is where the Tesla Semi earns its keep. Strength 1 — 500 mi range with full load is class-leading. On the Tesla Semi specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 2 — 1 MW Megacharger is unique to Tesla. On the Tesla Semi specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 3 — Lower TCO than diesel over 1M+ miles. On the Tesla Semi specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 4 — Three independent rear motors give surprising agility. On the Tesla Semi specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Anchoring all of this: a 900 kWh battery, 800 km range, and a USD 150,000 - 180,000 (US market) starting price that defines the Tesla Semi's value envelope.
Tesla Semi — the cons
If the Tesla Semi fails for you, it will be for one of the reasons in this list. Weakness 1 — Not sold globally. On the Tesla Semi specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 2 — Megacharger network US-only. On the Tesla Semi specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 3 — Long production ramp delays orders. On the Tesla Semi specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 4 — 27t kerb weight is heavy. On the Tesla Semi specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. For a class 8 electric semi-truck weighing 27000 kg with 105 km/h top speed, these trade-offs are within segment norms but worth pricing in.
Who the Tesla Semi is for
Tesla pitches the Tesla Semi at "US Class 8 fleet operators with regional routes (300-500 mi) and depot charging", and that framing holds up. If your driving fits that shape, the pros above land hardest and the cons fade fastest. 800 km of range is enough for most weekly profiles, and 70% in 30 min (1MW Megacharger DC) of fast charging keep occasional long trips practical.
Practical next steps
Run a 7-day rental or extended test drive if your dealer offers one. The Tesla Semi's pros stay constant; the cons either fade or compound — and a week tells you which.
Related Tesla EVs
If the cons above are dealbreakers, look at ford f150 lightning, rivian r1t — each makes a different set of trade-offs. The Tesla Semi wins more often than not in its tier, but cross-shopping protects you from buying the wrong shape.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I wait for the next Tesla Semi refresh?
- Only if a specific con is a dealbreaker and you have reason to believe the next version fixes it. Otherwise the cost of waiting (lost EV running-cost savings, opportunity cost of an extra year on petrol) usually outweighs the upgrade.
- What's the most common Tesla Semi complaint?
- Look at the first item in the cons list above. That's the one owners mention first when ev.care surveys them at the 12-month mark. If you can live with it, the rest tends to fade.
- Will the Tesla Semi hold its value?
- The Tesla Semi depreciates in line with the segment. The pros above are the ones that resale-buyers will also notice, so a well-maintained Tesla Semi with documented service history holds value about as well as any EV in this band.
- How does the Tesla Semi compare to its segment rivals?
- The Tesla Semi sits in the middle of its segment on most axes — not the cheapest, not the fastest, not the longest-range. Its win is balance. Rivals that beat it on one axis usually lose on another, so the comparison comes down to which axis you care about most.
Net it out and the Tesla Semi is squarely a us class 8 fleet operators with regional routes (300-500 mi) and depot charging kind of car. If that description fits your week, the pros above pay for themselves. If it doesn't, one of the cons will eventually annoy you enough to matter.