DHL has officially begun operating its first Tesla Semi, becoming the latest major logistics player to integrate the all-electric Class 8 truck into commercial service.
The delivery follows an extensive pilot phase out of DHL’s Livermore, California facility, where in late 2024 the Semi covered more than 3,000 miles (5,000 km) in normal operations, exceeding expectations.
According to DHL, the electric big-rig averaged 1.72 kWh per mile while hauling a gross combined weight of 75,000 lbs over a 390-mile (625 km) long-haul route. That’s notably below Tesla’s original goal of “less than 2 kWh per mile”—a claim that drew plenty of skepticism in the early years of Semi development.
Now based in Central California, the Semi is handling about 100 miles (161 km) of deliveries per day and thanks to its large battery pack and route efficiency, will only need to charge about once per week. DHL estimates each truck will eliminate around 50 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year.
Jim Monkmeyer, President, Transportation at DHL Supply Chain North America, praised the truck’s performance. “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. Integrating the Tesla Semi into our fleet is an important step toward achieving our decarbonization goals and delivering more sustainable solutions for our customers. 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.”
For Tesla, DHL’s successful deployment adds momentum to the Semi’s slow-but-steadily expanding presence in freight operations. PepsiCo remains the largest early customer, while Sysco, Walmart, Costco, and others are currently trialing or preparing for larger rollouts.
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Dan Priestley, Director of the Tesla Semi program, highlighted the value of DHL’s involvement. “DHL has been a great partner to work with, and we appreciate their early and longstanding support for the Semi program. We are excited to support their deployment in North America, and their experience as a trusted logistics provider will help us make the product even better for future global markets.”
DHL says this first truck expands its fleet of Class 8 electric vehicles in the U.S. to more than 150 units, and plans are already in motion to secure additional Tesla Semi deliveries in 2026, when volume production in Nevada is expected to begin.
