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The transportation industry is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the U.S., where light-duty vehicles and medium/heavy-duty trucks generate about 80% of the sector’s total emissions, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This makes transportation a prime candidate for electrification, particularly for moving freight—a place where even incremental sustainability improvements can translate into meaningful emissions reductions.
Knowing this, electric vehicle (EV) makers like Tesla are pairing up with freight and transportation providers to integrate electric semi-trucks into more commercial fleets. In December, for example, DHL Supply Chain received its first all-electric Tesla Semi. DHL says this marked a “significant milestone” in its organization-wide commitment to reduce its absolute CO₂ emissions to 29 million metric tons in 2030 and to be net zero by 2050.
Proving its Value on the Road
The electric semi is already proving its value on the road. The Tesla Semi completed a successful pilot in Livermore, Calif., where it covered over 3,000 miles (5,000 km) of regular routes. During testing, the all-electric truck demonstrated solid efficiency, averaging 1.72 kWh per mile while hauling a gross combined weight of 75,000 lb (34 metric tons) over a 390-mile (625 km) long-haul route.
“Our pilot of the Tesla Semi exceeded expectations, proving its ability to efficiently haul a typical DHL freight over long distances on a single charge,” said Jim Monkmeyer, president, transportation, in a press release.
“Integrating the Tesla Semi into our fleet is an important step toward achieving our decarbonization goals and delivering more sustainable solutions for our customers,” he continued. “With its range of up to 500 miles, the semi unlocks opportunities that were previously beyond the limits of heavy-duty EVs, and we’re excited to partner with Tesla to make that a reality.”
100 Miles Per Day
According to DHL, EVs are “central” to reducing GHGs in logistics. “EV technology for automobiles is now mainstream, and small cargo e-trucks are common in many urban areas,” the company points out in a recent article. “But electrifying long-haul tractor-trailer trucks, or semis, has long been considered a major challenge. Tesla is demonstrating that it can be done.”
The company has been integrating EVs into its operations for several years, including early trials of heavy-duty models. “Bringing the Tesla Semi into our fleet builds on that work and helps us understand what long-haul electrification can look like in practice,” it says. “With more vehicles planned for 2026, we’ll continue learning how electric trucks can support lower-emission transport over time.”
Now operating from its home base in California, the all-electric truck travels approximately 100 miles per day, requires charging about once per week, and offers a range of up to 500 miles even when carrying a full load. Additionally, the vehicle is projected to reduce GHGs by 50 metric tons annually. DHL plans to add more semis in 2026 as Tesla begins its volume production, all with the goal of accelerating the 3PL’s transition to net zero-emission logistics.
