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Tesla is significantly ramping up its ambitions for electric Semi trucks, a move that involves hiring over 1,000 new factory workers at its Nevada facility. This hiring surge comes as the company races to fulfill years of commitments regarding production of its innovative electric big rig, according to sources familiar with the developments.

The new workers have been integrated into the Giga Sparks factory where they have been undergoing training and participating in factory tours over the past several months. This marks a dramatic shift for Tesla, which, until recently, had fewer than 100 factory workers dedicated to the Semi project, including those working on its pilot line located in California. The substantial increase in hiring aligns with Tesla's recent opening of an expansion at its Nevada Gigafactory specifically dedicated to the production of the Semi.

On its official website, Tesla has posted more than 80 job listings related to the manufacturing of the Semi. These positions span a diverse range of roles, including test and service technicians, engineering experts, and quality assurance personnel, all crucial for the development of this ambitious vehicle.

A spokesperson for Tesla was unavailable for comment when contacted regarding the hiring spree and production plans.

Recently, the company shared a video update indicating that they have completed construction of the factory and are now in the process of setting up production lines. This is a pivotal moment for Tesla as it continues to push forward with its Semi project.

The Tesla Semi was first unveiled by Elon Musk back in 2017, with projections that mass production would start as early as 2019. The company made significant strides last December when it delivered its first Semi truck to PepsiCo, which had placed a substantial order of 100 trucks in conjunction with the initial announcement in 2017. At that time, Musk expressed confidence that production could reach an impressive 50,000 units by 2024. Notably, other high-profile companies such as UPS, Walmart, and Costco have also placed sizable orders for the vehicle.

In a more recent development in 2023, Tesla announced plans to construct a dedicated factory for the Semi truck in Nevada. During an earnings call on April 22, the company stated that production at this new facility is set to commence by the end of the year, with full-scale mass production anticipated to begin in 2026.

However, the establishment of this facility has not been without its challenges, having faced multiple delays. Musk has frequently pointed to battery supply-chain constraints as a key issue, given that the Tesla Semi utilizes a massive electric vehicle battery composed of tens of thousands of individual battery cells.

The Semi truck represents an enormous undertaking for Tesla, boasting an impressive range of up to 500 miles on a single charge, nearly doubling the range offered by competing electric semitrucks currently available or in the pipeline. Musk has also articulated a future vision where the Semi could one day operate autonomously.

Tesla has claimed that the Semi can achieve 70% of its full range within just 30 minutes when charged at one of Teslas Megachargersa state-of-the-art, high-powered EV charger designed to serve as a quick turnaround solution for electric semitrucks, akin to a truck stop.

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