Tesla’s Semi pilot program has now made its way to Texas, where it is being tested by logistics company Mone Transport. With the Semi set to enter production this year, Tesla is gathering valuable data on the vehicle’s efficiency, which will help companies reduce costs.
Mone Transport, which specializes in cross-border U.S.-Mexico freight operations, recently put the Tesla Semi to the test in its Texas operations. The results were impressive, with the Semi achieving 1.64 kWh per mile efficiency over 4,700 miles. This surpasses Tesla’s official 1.7 kWh per mile target and far outperforms traditional diesel trucks.
Compared to Class 8 diesel semis, which typically achieve 6-7 miles per gallon and consume roughly 5.5 kWh per mile in energy-equivalent terms, the Tesla Semi uses three to four times less energy while producing zero tailpipe emissions.
Other participants in the pilot program have also seen impressive results. ArcBest’s ABF Freight Division logged 4,494 miles with an average efficiency of 1.55 kWh per mile, while PepsiCo recorded 1.7 kWh per mile in testing. DHL and Saia achieved 1.72 kWh per mile and 1.73 kWh per mile, respectively.
These findings highlight the Tesla Semi’s ability to reduce operating costs through superior efficiency, lower maintenance, and zero-emission operation. As charging infrastructure expands and production ramps up, electric semis like the Tesla Semi are proving to be a viable option for freight networks, accelerating the industry’s shift towards sustainable trucking.
Tesla is preparing for a wider rollout of the Semi in the coming months, recently launching the first public Semi Megacharger site in Los Angeles. Infrastructure is being built out for regional runs on the West Coast initially, with plans to expand to the East Coast in the future. The future looks bright for electric trucking as companies like Mone Transport continue to demonstrate the benefits of the Tesla Semi.