Driving the news: Tesla launched production of the Semi on Thursday, saying it can build up to 50,000 electric trucks per year.
- The long-range version can travel 500 miles on a full charge, thanks to new battery technology Tesla developed in-house.
- And it can regain up to 60% of its autonomy in 30 minutes, Tesla claims.
Point of friction: Giant batteries in large electric appliances add weight and cost, sacrificing cargo capacity and range compared to diesel cabs.
- Electric vehicles cost much more up front, and charging infrastructure is still scarce along many freight corridors.
- But for shippers, it all comes down to total cost of ownership.
Follow the money: The cost of diesel has climbed to around 80 cents per mile in recent months, while electricity costs between 20 and 30 cents per mile, according to a chart shared by Tesla at Semi’s launch event.
- Tesla says its Semi fleet has had more than 98% uptime so far in 2026 and says the truck is “nearly maintenance-free.”
What they say: Forum Mobility, which leases electric trucks to freight operators, says 25 carriers have already reserved capacity for more than 330 Tesla Semis at a Southern California depot.
- “This truck changed everything,” CEO Matt LeDucq told Axios.
- The cost of operating a Tesla Semi is up to 30% cheaper and the duty cycle is “very efficient” despite the heavy battery, he said.
- “It becomes obvious to the truck driver.”
The plot: Forum is trying to turn electric trucking into a service rather than a giant capital investment.
- The company rents electric trucks for as little as $1,500 per month while providing access to shared charging depots, tackling two of the biggest obstacles facing small truck fleets.
State of affairs: Tesla has rolled out about 200 tractor-trailers since 2022, mostly through limited customer programs, but orders are piling up as the company begins volume production.
- PepsiCo was an early adopter, with at least 50 companies already operating in California.
- This week, a coalition of large shippers ordered 2,500. Other notable Tesla Semi customers include DHL, Einride, Walmart, IMC Logistics and ArcBest.
The bottom line: At $3 or $4 diesel, electric trucks can be a tough sell. Above $6, fleet operators have good reason to sharpen their pencils.
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