The Tesla Semi has officially landed the green light to be delivered to customers.
The EPA confirmed to Teslarati the Semi has been assessed by the agency and granted a certificate of conformity to enter the stream of commerce, something Tesla had not gained from the agency in previous years after announcing imminent deliveries in 2020 and 2021.
In early October, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Semi deliveries would begin Dec. 1. After the company claimed this twice in the past two years, some may have been skeptical the truck would actually arrive in 2022.
The EPA told Teslarati the 2023 Tesla Semi was granted the certificate Sept. 29. It is valid until Dec. 31, 2023.
Certificates of conformity confirm vehicles meet the EPA's emissions and fuel economy requirements.
Tesla announced in 2020 and 2021 it planned to begin volume production and deliveries of the Semi. Battery constraints, parts shortages and other issues related to the supply chain kept this from happening.
Tesla had not previously applied for the Semi to be approved for a certificate of conformity, based on the EPA’s list of approved heavy-duty vehicles. The EPA updates this list quarterly, and the Semi has never appeared on it. The EPA confirmed to Teslarati the Semi would be added to the list of conforming heavy-duty vehicles in January 2023.
The certificate is a significant indicator the vehicle will begin deliveries soon. Even if Tesla does not deliver the vehicle to PepsiCo. on Dec. 1, as it previously said and PepsiCo. confirmed, the company can officially use the Semi on public roads and deliver it to clients.
As of right now, the only reason Tesla would not deliver the vehicle to PepsiCo. is if the vehicle is not built or there is a delay in the vehicle making it to its destination.
Tesla is expected to make the first deliveries of the Semi to PepsiCo. in Modesto and Sacramento, CA, facilities.
Abby Andrews