- Tesla has shipped two Tesla Semi trucks to its Gigafactory near Berlin, Germany.
- The automaker has posted a job on its website to build relationships with potential Semi customers.
- A Tesla insider confirmed that the manufacturer is “taking steps to bring the Tesla Semi to Europe”
Nearly seven years after it debuted—and still not officially launched in volume production in the U.S.—Tesla may be looking to bring the Semi to Europe.
Two Tesla Semi trucks arrived at Gigafactory Berlin today after being spotted by motorists on German highways headed towards the plant. Shortly after the spottings were posted to X, the trucks arrived at the facility and speculation of their purpose in Europe began hitting the internet. Could Tesla be looking to bring its long-awaited Semi to Europe?
That answer, according to a high-ranking Tesla insider, is yes.
Graham Carroll, Tesla’s head of Business Development for the Semi project, took to LinkedIn earlier this month to announce that Tesla is scouting for talent to bring its Semi program to Europe:
“We are taking steps to bring the Tesla Semi to Europe and I’m looking for someone with industry experience in electrification to help us develop this exciting new market,” wrote Carroll. “This is a groundbreaking product that meaningfully advances Tesla’s mission, and the team behind it is world-class. Let the wild rumpus begin.”
The announcement brought with it a job posting for a Business Development Manager for Tesla’s Europe region. Specifically, the position is tasked with building and maintaining relationships with potential customers interested in purchasing one (or a fleet) of Tesla’s Class 8 trucks.
However, Tesla hasn’t confirmed that the Semi is coming to Europe.
Even CEO Elon Musk, who is typically over-optimistic about the automaker’s deliverables and associated timelines, hasn’t made this claim. Instead, reports from earlier this year indicate that the CEO believes building the truck at its German plant (if produced in Europe at all) wouldn’t be out of the question.
“I think it makes sense to produce the Semi truck in Europe at Giga Berlin,” said CEO Elon Musk in a Handelsblatt from March.
Tesla has actually been planning the Semi’s arrival in Europe for months, but not for production reasons. The automaker plans to display its flagship commercial product at Hannover’s IAA Transportation 2024 event next month. However, that’s not to say that its engineers in Germany aren’t getting a good look at the truck first.
However, to sell the truck in Europe, the automaker must assess the compliance nuances needed to make the semi roadworthy.
Meanwhile, despite beginning low-volume production in 2022, Tesla still hasn’t cranked up the numbers on the Semi in its home market. High-volume orders from companies like PepsiCo are taking ages to be partially filled. This could point to several manufacturing and engineering hurdles still being in place, perhaps even related to the 4680 battery cells that are under Musk’s microscope as of late. If Tesla wants to launch a viable product in Europe, it needs to get all of the kinks worked out first, and that could be exactly what the automaker is working on now.
Tesla Semis Were Just Spotted In Europe
In a groundbreaking development for the transportation industry, Tesla’s highly anticipated electric semi-trucks have been spotted in Europe for the first time. The sighting of these cutting-edge vehicles is a significant milestone in Tesla’s mission to revolutionize the way goods are transported across the continent.
The Tesla semi-trucks, which were first unveiled by CEO Elon Musk in 2017, are designed to be fully electric and have a range of up to 500 miles on a single charge. This technology promises to significantly reduce emissions and operating costs for freight companies, all while providing a quieter and more comfortable driving experience for truck drivers.
The sighting of the Tesla semis in Europe comes at a time when the region is ramping up efforts to combat climate change and transition to sustainable transportation solutions. With countries setting ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, the arrival of these electric trucks could not come at a more crucial moment.
Furthermore, the presence of Tesla semis in Europe serves as a testament to the company’s commitment to expanding its global footprint and bringing its innovative products to new markets. Despite facing challenges in scaling up production and meeting demand, Tesla has continued to push the boundaries of technology and demonstrate the viability of electric vehicles for commercial use.
As these semi-trucks make their way across Europe, they will undoubtedly attract attention and generate curiosity among industry stakeholders and the general public alike. The sight of these sleek, futuristic vehicles cruising down highways is a reminder of the exciting possibilities that lie ahead in the realm of sustainable transportation.
In conclusion, the sighting of Tesla semis in Europe marks a significant step forward in the evolution of the transportation industry. These electric trucks represent a glimpse into a future where clean, efficient, and technologically advanced vehicles dominate the roads, paving the way for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transport system. With Tesla leading the charge, the future of freight transportation looks brighter than ever.