The Tesla Semi recently received a strange-but-understandable comparison from automotive enthusiast and former long-time late-night television show host Jay Leno.\n<\/p>\n
In a recent interview with MotorTrend, legendary comedian and automotive enthusiast Jay Leno shared his impressions after driving Tesla\u2019s long-range Semi truck, offering one of the most vivid descriptions to date:\n<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like driving an office building.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
The comparison may seem quirky\u2014office buildings evoke images of immobility rather than motion\u2014but it aptly conveys the experience of commanding a massive 23,000-pound Class 8 electric truck<\/a> that delivers sports-car acceleration.<\/p>\n Lenotested the production-spec Long Range model, which is rated for up to 500 miles of range. He was visibly impressed by its performance, noting how the enormous vehicle moves with surprising urgency.\n<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s as fast as a Tesla, but it\u2019s like driving an office building,\u201d he remarked. \u201cIt\u2019s this huge thing that moves like right now. You go 500 miles. You get 60% charge in 30 minutes. You\u2019re saving on fuel costs. It seems quite good.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Jay Leno in new interview on what it\u2019s like to drive the @Tesla<\/a> Semi:\n<\/p>\n \u201cI was quite impressed with that. It\u2019s a fast as a Tesla, but it\u2019s like driving an office building. It\u2019s this huge thing that moves like right now. You go 500 miles. You get 60% charge in 30 mins. You\u2019re\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/YU7tk6a6pV<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \u2014 Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) May 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The reaction highlights the cognitive dissonance at the core of the Tesla Semi. Traditional diesel semi-trucks are slow, noisy, and expensive to run. The Semi rewrites the rules with instant torque from its tri-motor electric powertrain<\/a>, producing up to 800 kW.\n<\/p>\n Despite its size, the truck feels agile thanks to full electric steering assist, upgraded actuators borrowed from the Cybertruck, and a 48-volt electrical architecture that improves responsiveness and efficiency.\n<\/p>\n Tesla reports real-world energy consumption below 1.7 kWh per mile<\/a> for the Long Range version. Megacharger stations can deliver a 60% charge in roughly 30 minutes, making the truck suitable for long-haul operations.<\/p>\n Additional features include an electric Power Take-Off (ePTO) capable of 25 kW for trailer refrigeration or other equipment, and a driver-focused cab with a central seating position for optimal visibility and a quiet, high-tech interior.\n<\/p>\n Fleet operators stand to benefit significantly from the economics. Diesel trucks often cost nearly one dollar per mile when including fuel, maintenance, and downtime.\n<\/p>\n