Tesla Semi officially in Europe. Starting in 2027, first with a smaller 548 kWh battery and a range of about 550 kilometers
Just before the IAA Transportation 2026 exhibition, Tesla’s German website for the Semi, its electric tractor truck, was launched (source). The manufacturer had told Elektrowozu’s editor that it intended to enter Europe during the 2024 exhibition, and now that has officially happened. Initially, Germans will be able to order a version with a smaller battery, which promises a range of 550 kilometers on a full charge and charging at up to 800 kW.
Tesla Semi for Germany
Table of contents
Tesla Semi for Germany
Tesla Semi: EU version vs. US version. Plus costs
The Tesla Semi shown on the German site corresponds to the Tesla Semi Standard Range model from the United States, which features a battery with a capacity of 548 kWh, allowing for a range of 550 kilometers on a full charge [manufacturer’s estimated figures – editor]. Tesla claims an energy consumption of 100 kWh/100 km, which is an excellent figure for the tractor-trailer segment; Elon Musk’s company is known for its record-breaking fuel-efficient powertrains, but the Semi will need to prove its worth.
Interestingly, the maximum charging power is “only” 800 kW. In the U.S., the Tesla Semi Standard Range can charge at 1.2 MW. In Europe, a half-hour stop is sufficient to restore up to 60 percent of the energy (e.g., from 20% to 80%), resulting in a maximum of 329 kWh after 30 minutes. That’s enough for 329 kilometers of driving. At a speed of 90 km/h—something no truck driver in Poland seems to follow—the driving time is 3.65 hours. If Semi drivers stick to the allowed speed of 80 km/h, the driving time on energy restored at a charger increases to 4.11 hours.
https://elektrowoz.pl/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Tesla-Semi-ladowanie.mp4
It seems Tesla has given up on offering a larger battery to stay within weight limits. The version available on the German site weighs 9.1 tons, and together with the trailer it even fits within the 40-ton gross weight limit for diesel vehicles. The European Union allows an increased limit of 45 tons for electric tractors with trailers; these regulations have taken effect in some countries, but according to information provided by Daimler to Elektrowoz’s editorial team, diesel weight limits are not a problem. The average actual load capacity of tractor-trailers is 40-60 percent of the allowed gross weight.
Tesla Semi: EU version vs. US version. Plus costs
The European version of the Semi features a short cabin and cameras on arms instead of mirrors. It can power external devices (such as generators) with up to 25 kW of capacity. At current diesel prices, 100 kilometers driven by a typical tractor costs at least 250 zlotys. The cost is higher when the driver drives aggressively and races against delivery deadlines, or if the tractor is older and more worn out. A Tesla Semi charged at Orlen Charge stations without any discounts will cost 269 zlotys per 100 kilometers.
The extremely high operating costs of electric vehicles end where those of combustion engines begin. If the buyer uses their own charger powered by solar panels, signs a custom contract, or utilizes Tesla charging stations, they will pay less.
As an interesting fact, the Tesla Semi Long Range with an extended cabin is also available in the Americas. It features a battery with a capacity of 822 kWh and promises a range of up to 805 kilometers (500 miles) on a single charge. Both variants use battery packs based on 4680 cells and can be charged at a rate of 1.2 MW (0.8 MW in Europe). Finally, both rely on the same powertrain consisting of three engines with a maximum power of 800 kW/1,088 HP and a continuous power output of 525 kW/714 HP.
Article Rating
Reader Ratings
[Total: 1 vote Average: 5]
Don’t miss new content—CLICK and FOLLOW Elektrowoz.pl on Google News. You might also be interested in the following ads: