Tesla Semi electric HGV is coming to Europe a decade after being unveiled – but UK might not get 500-mile version

Tesla’s Semi electric truck was unveiled in 2017 and, almost a decade later, it is finally set to hit European roads.

The electric HGV is due to make its European debut next month at the IAA Transportation show in Hanover, Germany.

The Semi represents Tesla’s effort to electrify the heavy truck market, but despite being revealed nearly ten years ago, it has only recently entered series production in the US.

Elon Musk’s EV brand says full European specifications will not be shared until September 15.

Currently, the Semi is available in the North American market in both Standard Range and Long Range guises, both of which are likely to make the journey across the Atlantic.

However, the Tesla UK website hints that Britain may receive only the Standard Range version, with a range of around 300 miles.

The Semi Standard Range truck uses a 548kWh battery and the cab alone weighs just over nine tons.

The Long Range version, powered by a monumental 822kWh battery pack, tips the scales at more than 10,000kg.

However, the enormous batteries are much needed for the Semi to haul a gross weight of up to 37 tons when laden with a trailer and contents.

Both variants feature the same tri-motor rear-axle powertrain producing 800kW, equivalent to around 1,073bhp.

The Semi is underpinned by a 1,000V architecture compatible with ultra-fast charging at speeds of up to 1,200kW using Tesla’s bespoke ‘Megachargers’.

Like BYD’s Flash Charging stations, which are being installed in Britain this year, these chargers are supported by on-site battery storage systems known as Megapacks.

These large-scale lithium-ion energy storage systems hold energy generated from renewable sources such as solar and wind power, helping to reduce strain on the electricity grid.

When plugged into a Megacharger, Tesla says the HGV can replenish up to 60 per cent of its battery capacity in under 30 minutes.

Tesla’s UK website states that the Semi available in Britain will be capable of travelling up to an estimated 550km (or 342 miles) on a single charge.

This suggests the company may only import the Standard Range option, though that is expected to be confirmed in less than a month’s time.

Less than 1% of new lorries are electric 

The Semi’s arrival signals one of the first major efforts to electrify the heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) market, which continues to be dominated by diesel power.

Registration data for the first half of the year shows EVs accounted for less than one per cent of new HCVs entering Britain’s road network.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) warned earlier this year that uptake of zero-emission HGVs is not growing at the pace required for the Government to meet its Net Zero ambitions.

Registrations increased by 4.7 per cent in July, although that equated to just 90 additional units.

In fact, zero-emission HGV volumes fell by 6.6 per cent in the first six months of 2026 compared with the same period last year, when uptake was supported by funding schemes.

The SMMT said uptake of electric HGVs ‘remains constrained by the higher upfront cost of vehicles and challenges around depot and network infrastructure’.

It added: ‘Long waits for grid connections and limited public charging provision continue to hamper adoption despite government support through measures such as the Plug-In Truck Grant, Depot Charging Scheme and the ZEHID programme.

‘Faster grid connections, accelerated depot planning approvals and a long-term national infrastructure strategy would help support uptake across a sector characterised by diverse vehicle types and operating requirements, while also boosting operator confidence.’

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, added: ‘Government support has helped incubate this emerging market, but if the sector is to decarbonise at pace, operators need confidence, and that means addressing key barriers to investment and adopting a technology-neutral approach that recognises the diversity and complexity of HGV use.’