Summary
- DHL tested Tesla Semi for two weeks, exceeding expectations
- Tested a 390-mile haul with 75,000 pounds load
- Tesla Semi had an energy consumption of 1.72 kWh per mile at speeds above 50 mph
- DHL is considering integrating Semis into its fleet
- Other companies like PepsiCo have also seen promising results with Tesla Semi
Article
DHL recently conducted a two-week trial period with the Tesla Semi, driving over 3,000 miles on its normal operating routes in Livermore, California. During the trial, the Semi was able to successfully haul a 75,000-pound load over a 390-mile route, showcasing its ability to handle typical DHL payloads on a single charge. The company reported that the Semi exceeded expectations by averaging 1.72 kWh per mile when operating at speeds over 50 mph, which was well beyond both DHL’s and Tesla’s estimates for the vehicle’s efficiency.
The Tesla Semi is designed to achieve a driving efficiency of “under 2 kWh” of energy consumption per mile, with a full-load range of either 300 or 500 miles. The vehicle is equipped with a battery pack of around 900 kWh, allowing for long-haul operations without the need for frequent recharging. DHL’s Head of Business Development for semi-trucks, Graham Carroll, highlighted the importance of maximizing range and efficiency in order to demonstrate the capabilities of electric vehicles in performing equivalent work to diesel trucks.
Following the successful trial with DHL, the company is now evaluating how to integrate the Tesla Semis into its fleet once volume production begins at the Gigafactory Nevada facility in 2026. The trial is part of a series of early testing results shared by various companies, with PepsiCo being the first to operate Tesla Semis in California. The results from PepsiCo also showed promising efficiency and performance, further validating the potential of electric commercial vehicles in the transportation industry.
During a trucking conference in Germany, Tesla Semi Engineering Head Dan Priestley shared additional details about the vehicle’s early fleet data. The pilot fleet of Tesla Semis has achieved a 95 percent uptime rate, including both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. With over 4.65 million miles driven since the start of the pilot programs, the impressive performance of the Semi has been demonstrated by one unit alone driving over 248,000 miles in just 18 months. These early results provide insight into the capabilities and reliability of the Tesla Semi in real-world commercial operations.
Overall, the Tesla Semi has shown impressive efficiency and performance in the 3,000-mile test conducted by DHL and other companies. The vehicle’s ability to handle heavy loads over long distances on a single charge, coupled with its advanced technology and driver-centric features, has captured the interest of companies looking to transition to electric fleets. As more companies continue to test and evaluate the Tesla Semi, the future of long-haul electric vehicles in the transportation industry looks promising.
Read the full article here