Following the successful trial of Tesla’s Semi electric truck, DHL Supply Chain USA has announced it is now planning to introduce the vehicle into its fleet when Tesla begins large-scale production in 2026.
Over a two-week trial period this summer, DHL Supply Chain USA integrated the e-truck into 5,000km of normal operations in Livermore, California. The trial included one long-haul route of 625km – fully loaded with a gross combined weight of 75,000 lb (34 metric tons) – confirming the Tesla Semi’s ability to carry typical DHL payloads over a long distance on a single charge.
During the trial, the trial vehicle averaged 1.72kWh/mile operating at speeds exceeding 80km/h on average for over half its time on the road. According to DHL, the result “exceeded” its expectations and Tesla’s own rating.
Putting the Tesla Semi to the test enabled DHL to validate whether it could travel 800km with a fully loaded trailer and see what its drivers thought of the truck’s performance. The company said it was encouraged by how quickly the drivers gained confidence with the vehicle and leveraged the Tesla’s smart features to help improve performance, comfort and the overall driver experience.
“Maximizing range and efficiency crucial to proving that long-haul electric vehicles can perform equivalent work to diesel. We’re excited to see DHL confirm the benefits of the Semi’s advanced technology and driver-centric features in live commercial operations,” said Graham Carroll, head of business development, Semi Truck Program at Tesla.