DHL, one of the world’s leading logistics and delivery companies, partnered with Tesla to test the Semi this summer, and the company has now shared the results, showcasing how the all-electric truck’s potential to transform long-haul trucking.
DHL has long been committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and improving the sustainability of their transportation fleet. The company was among the first to order 10 Tesla Semi trucks back in 2017.
Over this past summer we saw Tesla testing the Semi with PepsiCo, Walmart, Costco, Sysco and US Foods, and others. While we didn’t see a DHL branded Semi travelling along the roads of California, the company did apparently trial the Semi for a two-week period over the summer, and the testing exceeded their expectations.
According to a now deleted press release on DHL’s website, presumably because it was published ahead of schedule, the company says they tested the Semi over for 3,000 miles (5,000km) of “normal operations” out of their plant in Livermore, California.
During the two-week trial, the Tesla Semi averaged 1.72 kWh/mile while operating at average speeds over 50mph (80km/h) for over half of the time it was on the road, according to DHL. This figure is in line with the “less than 2 kWh/mile” Tesla advertises the Semi’s efficiency as and matches the more recent estimates provided by Semi program manager Dan Preistley at the IAA Transportation show in Hanover, Germany last month.
DHL said that one specific test saw the Semi cover 390 miles (625km) while fully loaded with a gross combined weight of 75,000lbs (34 metric tons). The company did not say how much battery charge was consumed during that test, only saying that it “[confirmed] the Tesla Semi’s ability to carry typical DHL payloads over a long distance on a single charge.” The Semi has an advertised range of 500 miles (804km), a figure that has already been backed up with real-world testing.
Feedback from drivers during the trial was also overwhelmingly positive, with operators praising the truck’s performance, advanced features, comfort, and driver-friendly design, echoing sentiments shared by PepsiCo drivers.
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.
Graham Carroll – Head of Business Development – Semi Truck Program at Tesla
DHL says the trial was a success and they are now planning on how to best integrate the Semi into its logistics network, as Tesla prepares for full-scale production of the Semi in 2026 at its plant currently under construction in Nevada.
