--- title: "Tesla Semi Truck Spotted Cruising Down Public Highway" description: "A Tesla Semi was seen on California's Highway 580 West, as shown in a video captured by a member of community group Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (TOSV)." date: "2022-06-15" modified: "2022-06-16" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/tesla-semi-driving-public-highway" categories: - "Advanced Transport" - "Tesla" tags: - "elon musk" - "semi" - "tesla" - "the digest" --- # Tesla Semi Truck Spotted Cruising Down Public Highway ![A Tesla Semi was seen on California's Highway 580 West, as shown in a video captured by a member of community group Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (TOSV).]() *\Image: Tesla\* ## Full Speed Ahead A Tesla Semi [was seen in-action]() on California's Highway 580 West, as shown in a video captured by a member of a EV-enthusiast community group called [Tesla Owners Silicon Valley]() (TOSV). While the sizeable big rig in the clip is being driven without its detachable trailer, it's still hauling what looks to be trees, which are lying on the vehicle's bed — an intriguing glimpse of a mystery-shrouded vehicle that could, if everything goes according to plan, reshape the trucking industry. https://twitter.com/teslaownersSV/status/1536760530899070976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1536760530899070976%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.teslarati.com%2Ftesla-semi-spotted-on-california-highway-testing-ahead-of-production%2F ## All Tractor, No Trailer The highly-anticipated Semi, described on [Tesla's website]() as the "safest, most comfortable truck ever," was first presented by Tesla CEO Elon Musk in 2017, alongside the [EV manufacturer's original model of the Roadster "supercar."]() At the time, Musk said that the futuristic tractor-trailer — unveiled in front of a [massive poster]() that read "BAMF PERFORMANCE" — was expected to go to market in 2019. But Musk is [no stranger to pushed-back production schedules](), and five years later, the Semi is still [yet to be available en masse](). It's worth noting, however, that while you can't exactly get your hands on a truck quite yet, [you can go ahead and reserve one]() from the allegedly forthcoming fleet. Warning: it's not cheap. Currently, the quicksilver CEO is holding the line that we'll be seeing many more Semis [hit the streets in 2023](), manufactured at volume alongside the [ever-janky Cybertruck]() and a new-and-improved Roadster, the latter of which, [as Musk told podcast menace Joe Rogan in 2021, he's hoping will hover](). Without killing people, of course. If and when these electric trucks do take the roads in bigger numbers, they could potentially make a significant difference in efforts to slash fossil fuel emissions. As for the safety Musk promises? Other [partially-autonomous Tesla vehicles]() haven't exactly been showing "BAMF performance" in that department [as of late](), so Semi safety remains to be seen. *Updated to remove a mistaken mention of the Semi hauling trees.* **More on Tesla:** [*Firefighters Struggle as Junkyard Tesla Bursts Into Flames Weeks After Crash*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()