In what was previously billed as the year of the Tesla Semi, a new report is claiming the sleek-looking battery-electric Class 8 semi is delayed yet again.
Earlier reports claimed that the Semi was set to begin series production later this year at a new Nevada facility, which will have the capability to produce 50,000 units annually.
[Related: Tesla Semi beginning series production at end of 2025]
According to Electrek, transportation logistics company Ryder, among the first corporations to place a Semi pre-order, is claiming the vehicle's launch has been pushed back to an unknown new date and, to make matters equally frustrating, there's an apparent price increase.
In a letter Ryder sent to California's Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC), which awarded Ryder funding to deploy Tesla Semis and Megachargers at two of its Golden State facilities, the company asked the state government agency for a 28-month delay, citing delays in "product design" and "vehicle production" as well as "dramatic changes to the Tesla product economies."
"This extension is needed due to delays in Tesla product design, vehicle production and dramatic changes to the Tesla product economics. These delays have caused us to reevaluate the current Ryder fleet in the area."
This apparently isn't the first time Ryder requested a delay in setting up its Tesla Semi program but it's not canceling its order. Instead, the company aims to "deploy 18 Tesla Semi vehicles by June 2026." The MSRC has confirmed Ryder's project will be dropping from 42 to 18 Semis.
"Ryder has indicated that their electric tractor manufacturer partner, Tesla, has experienced continued delays in product design and production. There have also been dramatic changes to the product economics. Ryder requests to reduce the number of vehicles from 42 to 18, stating that this would maintain their $7.5 million private match commitment."
As for the Megachargers, Ryder initially planned to install two integrated power centers and four Megachargers divided up between two locations. Now, Ryder wants to install three Megachargers at each location, increasing the total to six units. Also important to point out is that "Tesla now requires 600 kW chargers rather than the 750 kW units originally engineered."
And then there's the matter of price.
Tesla originally priced the Semi at $150,000 for the 300-mile range version and $180,000 for the 500-mile version while a "Founder's Series Semi" kicks off at $200,000. However, those figures were released back in 2017, the year Tesla debuted its long-haul rig. The manufacturer has yet to provide updated pricing because, after all, it's been nearly eight years since the reveal.
So what's the price now?
No one knows, though Ryder claims there's been a "dramatic" price boost. Unfortunately, Tesla no longer has an internal media department so it's impossible to seek clarification or even a comment.
Hopefully, Tesla will provide program updates later this month at the ACT Expo where Semi program chief Dan Priestly will be one of the featured speakers for the second year in a row.
[Related: Tesla Semi program manager gives most detailed update on its BEV to date]
