Uber Freight Offers Subsidies on Tesla Semi to Accelerate EV Truck Adoption

Uber Freight has teamed up with Tesla to launch a new program aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric heavy-duty trucks across U.S. supply chains. Announced at the Deliver 2025 conference on Tuesday, the Dedicated EV Fleet Accelerator Program gives companies a subsidized entry point into electrification while ensuring stable freight demand and immediate return on investment.

Tackling the Cost Barrier to EV Freight

Electric Class 8 trucks like the Tesla Semi promise significant long-term savings on fuel and maintenance, but higher upfront costs have been a major barrier for many fleets. Uber Freight’s program addresses this directly by subsidizing the purchase price of Tesla Semis. By joining the program, companies also receive dedicated freight contracts.

“This first-of-its-kind buyer’s program is designed to make electric freight more affordable and accessible by addressing key adoption barriers,” Uber Freight said in its launch announcement.

The program provides three major benefits:

Subsidized Price – lower upfront cost for the Tesla Semi.
Predictable Growth – integration into Uber Freight’s dedicated shipper network, ensuring revenue stability.
Optimized Utilization – consistent freight matching to keep trucks fully employed from day one.

Early Pilot Results Show Promise

Before scaling up, Uber Freight ran a two-month pilot with Tesla Semis on California routes. The results demonstrated both reliability and efficiency: 12,377 miles driven over 394 hours, with an average energy consumption of 1.72 kWh per mile, in line with Tesla’s published estimated. Charging accounted for only 60 hours, highlighting the trucks’ practicality on high-demand freight lanes.

Early adopters reported strong operational savings. One company, New Legend, noted how quickly the benefits became apparent: “Running electric trucks in Northern California was new territory for us, but the cost savings quickly became clear. With Uber Freight’s support and partnership, we had the confidence to invest in our fleet’s long-term performance.”

Tesla Semi’s Competitive Edge

The Tesla Semi offers up to 500 miles of range, ultra-fast charging capability of up to 1.2 MW, and payload capacity of 45,000–47,000 lbs. Compared to diesel trucks that average 6–8 miles per gallon with fuel costs exceeding $4 per gallon, the Semi’s operating cost per mile is significantly lower.

Charging is estimated at just 20–30% of diesel’s fuel equivalent, while the simplified electric drivetrain reduces maintenance costs by as much as 40% compared to a traditional diesel semi.

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