[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong] Tesla has disclosed key specifications for its Semi electric truck aimed at the European market. It can travel up to 550 km at a fully loaded weight of 40 tonnes and supports up to 800 kW fast charging. But its range and charging performance are lower than the U.S. version, and Tesla did not disclose a price or launch timing, leaving questions over its competitiveness.

On Sept. 11 (local time), electric vehicle outlet Electrek reported that Tesla Europe disclosed key specifications for the European Semi ahead of the IAA Transportation show in Hanover, Germany, running from Sept. 15 to 20.

The European Semi has a maximum range of 550 km. Energy consumption is 1 kWh per km, gross weight is 40 tonnes, and curb weight is 9,100 kg. Charging supports up to 800 kW through Tesla’s Megacharger. A 30-minute charge can restore about 60 percent of its range. The ePTO output to supply power to external equipment is up to 25 kW.

The performance gap is noticeable compared with the U.S. Semi. In the United States, Tesla presents the long-range Semi with a range of up to 500 miles, about 805 km, and a battery capacity of 822 kWh. It also said charging power is up to 1.2 MW and can restore about 70 percent of range in 30 minutes.

A simple comparison of the two models’ ranges is difficult. That is because the European version is based on a fully loaded weight of 40 tonnes, while the U.S. version is based on about 37.2 tonnes. The payload difference could also affect range.

The European Semi’s curb weight is 9,100 kg, lighter than the U.S. long-range Semi’s roughly 23,000 pounds. That has raised the possibility that the European version applies a different battery and vehicle configuration from the U.S. long-range model.

Tesla is a latecomer in Europe’s electric truck market. Mercedes-Benz, Volvo Trucks, MAN, Scania, DAF and Renault already sell battery-based heavy-duty electric trucks. Mercedes-Benz’s eActros 600 offers a maximum range of 500 km with a battery of about 600 kWh, so Tesla Semi’s 550 km is ahead, but the gap is not overwhelming.

Production and supply plans also remain unclear. Tesla currently produces the Semi near its Gigafactory in Nevada, but it has not decided whether it will export vehicles for Europe or produce them at its Berlin plant in Germany. Elon Musk (일론 머스크), Tesla’s CEO, has previously said the Semi would be produced at the Berlin plant.

Ultimately, attention from this disclosure is not only on performance figures but also on the still-undisclosed price and launch schedule. Tesla said the European Semi can travel 550 km at a fully loaded weight of 40 tonnes and can restore about 60 percent of its range with a 30-minute charge, but it did not disclose the actual selling price, battery configuration or timing of customer deliveries.

Attention is focused on whether Tesla will further disclose detailed supply plans and a production approach for the European Semi at IAA Transportation.