- Tesla’s Semi truck rollout is gaining momentum, with deliveries set to begin this summer and production expected to scale sharply by the end of this year.
- The Semi offers up to 500 miles of range and faster charging, though cost and infrastructure remain key challenges.
- Regulatory pressure is rising as U.S. safety authorities expand a probe into Tesla’s FSD system, now covering over 3.2 million vehicles.
Tesla shares rose nearly 1% in premarket trading on Friday as investors weighed a $2.9 billion China-linked solar expansion aimed at boosting scale and cutting costs, alongside progress on the Semi rollout, FSD advances, and rising regulatory scrutiny.
TSLA stock is heading for its fifth consecutive weekly decline, shedding roughly 9% over the five weeks.
Tesla FSD Nears Europe Approval
Tesla said on X that it has completed final vehicle testing for its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system with Dutch regulator RDW and has submitted all required documentation for UN R-171 approval along with Article 39 exemptions.
The regulator is currently reviewing the submission, with approval in the Netherlands now expected around April 10, delayed from an earlier March timeline. Once granted, the approval could be recognized across other European countries, with a broader EU rollout anticipated as early as summer.
The approval process has spanned roughly 18 months and included more than 1.6 million kilometers of testing on European roads, over 13,000 customer ride-alongs and more than 4,500 track test scenarios, alongside extensive compliance documentation and safety research.
Tesla Expands Solar Amid AI Demand
Alongside its autonomy push, Tesla is planning to buy about $2.9 billion worth of solar manufacturing equipment from Chinese suppliers as CEO Elon Musk targets 100 gigawatts of U.S. solar capacity, according to a Reuters report.
Suzhou Maxwell Technologies reportedly is among the key candidates and has sought export approval from China’s commerce ministry. Other potential suppliers include Shenzhen S.C New Energy Technology and Laplace Renewable Energy Technology. Deliveries are expected before autumn, with shipments likely to Texas.
Job postings show Tesla aims to deploy 100 GW of solar manufacturing in the U.S. before 2028. Musk has said solar could meet all U.S. electricity demand.
The expansion comes as electricity demand rises, driven by AI infrastructure. The Energy Information Administration said U.S. power consumption hit a record in 2025 and is expected to climb further. Tesla supposedly plans to use most of the capacity internally, with some supporting SpaceX operations. Solar equipment remains exempt from U.S. tariffs, highlighting continued reliance on Chinese supply chains.
Semi Rollout Gains Traction
Tesla is set to begin shipping Semi trucks from its Nevada Gigafactory this summer, with deliveries expected at 5,000 to 15,000 units in 2026, along with a ramp to 50,000 annually, Wall Street Journal noted.
The Semi offers up to 500 miles of range and can charge to 60% in about 30 minutes. Fleet operators testing the truck cited improved visibility, lower driver strain and longer range, though high costs and limited charging infrastructure remain hurdles.
FSD Probe Adds Regulatory Overhang
Tesla is also facing increased regulatory scrutiny as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has escalated its probe into the company’s Full Self-Driving system, citing concerns about its ability to handle reduced visibility conditions.
The investigation now covers more than 3.2 million vehicles and includes multiple crash incidents. The agency said in some cases the system did not detect impaired visibility or provide timely alerts to drivers. Musk said on X that in one Cybertruck incident that nearly drove a woman and her infant off a bridge, logs showed the driver disengaged Autopilot seconds before the crash.
How Did Stocktwits Users React?
On Stocktwits, retail sentiment for Tesla was ‘bearish’ amid a 46% jump in 24-hour message volume.
One user said, “420 tomo ,too much bullish news ,Semis news from wsj and solar investments worth 2.5 Billion plus”
Another user called TSLA his “only hedge to the upside — bearish everywhere but have a long here — hope I don’t regret it”
TSLA stock is down about 15% this year, making it the second-worst performer among the Magnificent 7.
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