Elon Musk Promises Mass Production of Tesla Semi Again After Bill Gates’ Criticism, but History of Delays Raises Questions About the Future of the Electric Truck
As soon as someone claims something is impossible, Elon Musk tries to prove the opposite. Electric trucks, like passenger cars, are seen as the next step in road freight transport.
Tesla has a big bet in this sector: the Semi. The battery-powered vehicle promises to perform the same work as a diesel truck. After years of waiting, Elon Musk has spoken about it again.
The CEO has resumed leadership of Tesla after a brief political foray. Now, he is directing the company’s efforts toward two fronts: autonomous driving technology and the Semi.
-
BYD D11B travels 300 km per charge, carries up to 170 passengers, and promises to shake up Brazilian public transport with a silent electric bus, four-hour recharge, and 60% lower maintenance in Brazil.
-
Goodbye heavy pedal, fluid, and traditional hydraulic brake? Brembo is putting Sensify into production, a brake-by-wire system that transforms braking into software and controls each wheel independently without relying on conventional mechanical pressure.
-
End of the Toyota era: with a hybrid engine of up to 235 hp, BYD King surpasses Corolla for the first time in Brazilian retail and accelerates Chinese advancement in the mid-size sedan segment.
-
300 units take the Mitsubishi Triton Terra to the heart of agribusiness, putting a 205 hp pickup with a more rugged look and twin-turbo on the roads, and transforming the limited edition into a new showcase for the competition for strength, presence, and productivity in the field.
The truck has been in development for over a decade, but it has never been produced on a large scale. Despite numerous public appearances, the model has yet to reach the roads in significant numbers.
Promises and Constant Delays
Unfulfilled promises have accumulated criticism. The Semi should have been available for years, but only a few units have been manufactured.
These vehicles have traveled millions of kilometers in testing. Some companies use them daily, proving their practicality.
Even so, mass production remains the critical point that has not been achieved.
This history of delays has strengthened skepticism. The Tesla Roadster, announced repeatedly, still hasn’t arrived.
Autonomous driving, promised as a revolution, is also still on hold. Therefore, every new statement from Musk about the Semi raises doubts. Many wonder if it will be another broken promise.
Gates Joins the Discussion
The latest criticisms came from Bill Gates. The founder of Microsoft highlighted his disbelief in the viability of electric trucks.
He stated that, even with advancements in batteries, electrification will not be practical for heavy long-distance vehicles, cargo ships, and passenger planes. For Gates, electricity works for short distances but does not solve the challenges of heavy transportation.
This statement directly impacted the Semi. Gates argued that other solutions would need to be sought to meet global transportation demands.
His perspective reinforces doubts about Tesla’s truck, which has not yet reached the market in a concrete way.
Musk Promises Again
Musk was quick to respond. Using the social network X, he stated that mass production of the Tesla Semi will begin next year. However, this is not the first time the executive has made this promise.
The constant repetition creates an impression of uncertainty. Still, Musk maintains his defiant style and promises to deliver what many say is impossible.
If this time will be different, remains to be seen. In a few months, the market will know if the Semi will finally leave the factory or continue as an eternally promised project.

-
-
4 people reacted to this.