After low-volume manufacturing started in late 2022 at a private site close to its Gigafactory Nevada facility, it was long suspected that Tesla Semi manufacturing would move to the Giga Texas plant.
Tesla appears to have different plans now, as an official statement about the launch of a new $3.5 billion plant in northern Nevada for the Semi Class 8 electric truck is impending.
Nevada Governor will join Tesla’s announcement
According to Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, who stated in a State of the State address to Nevada’s Assembly and Senate on January 23, Tesla is preparing to invest $3.5 billion in The Silver State and will make an official statement on January 24.
Governor Joe Lombardo’s statement, released by The Nevada Independent and picked up by Sawyer Merritt, included a section titled “Restoring Nevada’s Reputation as a Pro-Business, Pro-Development State.”
Lombardo stated in that section of his speech that Nevada is extending a pro-development invitation to new businesses and industries.
“Whether it’s closing the lithium loop, unlocking innovation and investment in logistics, entertainment, science, and technology, or embracing entrepreneurship, the message is that Nevada is ready to partner. Case in point I am looking forward to joining Elon Musk and the team at Tesla tomorrow when they unveil plans to build a brand new $3.5 Billion-dollar advanced manufacturing facility in northern Nevada for the company’s all-electric semi-trucks.”
Elon Musk to announce the new manufacturing plant
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is expected to make a public announcement about the new investment today, most likely at a ceremony at the site of the new manufacturing plant.
Tesla already has a large factory in Nevada, the Gigafactory Nevada, which manufactures battery packs and electric motors for its EVs, as well as Tesla’s energy storage products, Powerwall and Powerpack.
Gigafactory Nevada is located in the northern part of the state, 24 miles east of Reno. In October 2022, Tesla reportedly began a different manufacturing line for the Semi in a new facility near the main plant.
The latest announcement may incorporate this new facility, specifically its expansion to a full-fledged Semi assembly plant. However, this is just a presumption, and Tesla may announce a new site entirely.