---
title: "Tesla Semi-Truck Will Be Self-Driving, May Test in Nevada, Report Says"
description: "Tesla allegedly wants its trucks to drive in automated \"platoons.\""
date: "2017-08-10"
modified: "2017-08-11"
authors:
  - name: "Stephen Edelstein"
    job_title: "Weekend Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/stephen-edelstein.md"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/tech/13367/tesla-semi-truck-will-be-self-driving-may-test-in-nevada-report-says"
categories:
  - "Car Tech"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Self-Driving Tech"
  - "Tesla News"
  - "Trucks"
tags:
  - "Electric Trucks"
  - "Electric Vehicle"
  - "Nevada"
  - "self-driving trucks"
  - "semi trucks"
  - "Tesla"
---

# Tesla Semi-Truck Will Be Self-Driving, May Test in Nevada, Report Says

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/02/gettyimages-106296722-e1488216972466.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Tesla's promised [electric semi truck](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/9978/tesla-semi-truck-to-use-a-bunch-of-model-3-motors.md>) will be autonomous, and will be designed to drive in "platoons" in which a line of trucks follow a lead vehicle, according to [*Reuters*](<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-truck-autonomous-idUSKBN1AP2GD>).

Citing an email exchange, the news service claims Tesla is close to testing a prototype autonomous truck, and is already in talks with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles about testing it on public roads in the Silver State. Nevada is one of a handful of states that explicitly allows autonomous-vehicle testing, and also happens to be home to [Tesla's battery "Gigafactory."](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/13297/teslas-gigafactory-is-already-dominating-ev-battery-production.md>)

In addition, a California DMV spokesperson told *Reuters* that officials were meeting with Tesla "to talk about Tesla's efforts with autonomous trucks." California also allows testing of self-driving vehicles on public roads, but the rules include a weight cap of 10,000 pounds, excluding large commercial trucks. [Tesla submitted comments](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/9818/apple-tesla-weigh-in-on-california-self-driving-car-regulations.md>) to the California DMV arguing against this cap earlier this year.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk first mentioned the electric semi truck [in his updated "Master Plan" last year](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/4507/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-reveals-master-plan-part-deux.md>), and [announced in April](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/9275/tesla-to-unveil-semi-truck-in-september-pickup-to-follow.md>) that the truck would be unveiled in September. The email conversations with Nevada officials cited by *Reuters* occurred in May and June, and include mention of a June 16 meeting to discuss testing of two prototype autonomous trucks. Nevada officials confirmed the meeting occurred, but said Tesla had not applied for a testing license.

Musk has never publicly mentioned autonomous-driving capability for the semi truck, but Tesla is developing self-driving cars. Musk has primarily discussed autonomous driving in the context of a ride-sharing service that would allow Tesla owners to rent out their cars to passengers when they aren't needed.

Other companies are already exploring self-driving trucks. [Uber operates a fleet](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/12107/uber-upgrades-its-fleet-of-autonomous-trucks.md>) of prototypes, although the company's autonomous-driving program has become embroiled in a legal battle with Waymo over alleged stolen trade secrets. [Waymo](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/11071/waymo-is-exploring-self-driving-trucks-to-rival-uber.md>) and [Amazon](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/9649/amazon-explores-autonomous-delivery-vehicles.md>) have also expressed interest in autonomous trucks.

While Tesla has pulled off the seemingly impossible before, an autonomous electric semi truck adds a new host of challenges. Achieving the range necessary for long-haul trucking will be difficult, and automation means butting heads with professional truck drivers and their considerable lobbying power.

## Author
Stephen has always been passionate about cars, and managed to turn that passion into a career as a freelance automotive journalist. When he's not handling weekend coverage for The Drive, you can find him looking for a new book to read.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/SAEdelstein>)

## More

- [Former Tesla Employees Say 2016 ‘Full Self-Driving’ Video Was Staged](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/43408/former-tesla-employees-say-2016-full-self-driving-video-was-staged.md>)
- [This Is What the Cockpit of the Upcoming Tesla Semi Truck Looks Like](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/27089/this-is-what-the-cockpit-of-the-upcoming-tesla-semi-truck-looks-like.md>)
- [Tesla to Unveil Semi-Truck in September, Pickup to Follow](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/9275/tesla-to-unveil-semi-truck-in-september-pickup-to-follow.md>)
- [Tesla’s Semi-Truck Reveal Delayed Until Late October](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/14320/teslas-semi-truck-reveal-delayed-until-late-october.md>)
- [Tesla Gives First Peek at Its Electric Semi Truck](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/9793/tesla-give-first-peek-at-its-electric-semi-truck.md>)
- [Tesla Rebuffed Uber Offer to Partner on Self-Driving Cars Says New Book](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/10341/tesla-rebuffed-uber-offer-to-partner-on-self-driving-cars-says-new-book.md>)
- [The Tesla Semi Is Finally Headed to ‘Volume Production’](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/33989/the-tesla-semi-is-finally-headed-to-volume-production.md>)
- [Tesla Has Applied for a Permit to Run Robotaxis in California ](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/tesla-has-applied-for-a-permit-to-run-robotaxis-in-california.md>)