📌 UPDATE — May 7, 2026
Newly revealed specifications now give us the full powertrain picture for both Tesla Semi variants. The Long Range model's confirmed 822 kWh / NMCA 4680 pack is paired with an 800 kW (1,072 hp) peak motor output. Meanwhile, the previously less-detailed Standard Range model is now confirmed with a 548 kWh NMCA 4680 pack and 525 kW (704 hp) peak motor output — figures not included in the original regulatory filings covered below.
| Variant | Battery | Cell Type | Peak Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Range | 822 kWh | 4680 NMCA | 800 kW / 1,072 hp |
| Standard Range | 548 kWh | 4680 NMCA | 525 kW / 704 hp |
Source: @TeslaNewswire — May 7, 2026
The Tesla Semi's battery specifications are no longer a matter of estimation. A public regulatory filing has confirmed the official production figures for the Long Range trim — and the numbers are substantial. The truck carries an 822kWh usable battery built on NMCA 4680 cells, with a 500-mile range rating at full 82,000 lb gross combination weight.
What the Filing Confirms
Until now, the Semi's battery size had been a subject of industry speculation. Early estimates based on Tesla's published energy consumption figure of 1.7 kWh/mile and the 500-mile range pointed to a pack somewhere in the 875–900 kWh range. The regulatory filing puts the usable capacity at 822kWh — meaningfully below those estimates, which speaks to the efficiency gains Tesla has achieved with the NMCA cell chemistry and structural pack design.
NMCA — nickel, manganese, cobalt, aluminum — is a higher-energy-density cathode chemistry compared to the NMC formulations used in earlier 4680 development cells. Combined with the structural battery pack architecture (where the cells themselves form part of the truck's frame), Tesla has clearly prioritized energy density and weight efficiency in a vehicle where every pound of battery competes directly with payload capacity.
Tesla Semi Long Range — Confirmed Production Specs
| Usable Battery Capacity | 822 kWh |
| Cell Chemistry | NMCA (4680) |
| Range | 500 miles |
| Gross Combination Weight | 82,000 lbs |
| Energy Consumption | 1.7 kWh/mile |
| Peak Charging | 1.2 MW (MCS 3.2) |
| Drive Power | 800 kW (~1,073 hp) |
| Curb Weight | 23,000 lbs |
Why 822kWh Matters
The 500-mile range claim has always been the Semi's headline number — but it only means something if it holds at real-world commercial load. The 82,000 lb gross combination weight rating is the legal maximum for U.S. interstate freight, meaning Tesla's range figure isn't a best-case scenario with a lightly loaded trailer. It's the number a fleet operator can actually plan routes around.
At 1.7 kWh/mile with an 822kWh usable pack, the math works out cleanly. That efficiency figure — achieved with three independent rear motors producing up to 800 kW — is what makes the pack size viable. A less efficient drivetrain would have required a heavier, larger battery to hit the same range target, which would have eaten directly into payload.
The 1.2 MW peak charging rate via MCS 3.2 is equally significant for fleet operators. According to previous Tesla announcements, that translates to roughly 60% range recovery in 30 minutes — enough to cover a driver's mandatory rest break under federal hours-of-service rules without adding meaningful downtime to a route.
Production Context
These specifications are arriving as the Semi transitions from limited deliveries to genuine volume production. High-volume manufacturing began on April 29, 2026, at a dedicated facility adjacent to Gigafactory Nevada — the same complex where 4680 cells are produced. That vertical integration, cells and truck under one roof, gives Tesla direct control over the supply chain that has historically been the bottleneck for scaling EV production.
The regulatory filing also confirms what fleet buyers need to underwrite purchasing decisions at the Semi's approximately $290,000 price point. Confirmed specs in a public document carry more weight than marketing claims when a company is committing to a multi-truck order. That's likely part of why this filing matters beyond the numbers themselves.
Whether the Standard Range trim shares the same cell chemistry or carries a smaller pack remains to be seen — the filing covers the Long Range variant, and the full picture for both trims is still coming into focus.
Sarah focuses on Tesla Energy, SpaceX missions, and the broader Musk AI portfolio. Former data analyst in clean energy. Based in San Francisco.
Sources verified at publish time. Spotted an inaccuracy? Email editorial@basenor.com.
