Following a successful trial, DHL has committed to the Tesla Semi and placed a substantial order for the electric trucks.
Until recently, the Tesla Semi was widely regarded as a proof of concept—limited to only a handful of test runs in the United States. That perception is changing rapidly.
The Tesla Semi is moving beyond proof-of-concept status as Tesla ramps toward volume production, and global logistics leader DHL has confirmed plans to integrate the truck into its fleet.
Fleet rollout and trials
DHL Supply Chain vice president Stephan Schablinski says the company has “more than just a handful of trucks on order” and intends to deploy them operationally rather than only run pilots. That confidence follows a successful two-week, 3,000-mile evaluation in which a fully loaded Semi covered 390 miles on a single charge. DHL reports the truck opened opportunities for routes and customers previously unsuitable for electric Class 8 vehicles—indicating use cases beyond short local hauls and into regional and middle-mile lanes.
Efficiency and economics
The Semi demonstrated strong real-world efficiency during testing: at average speeds above 50 mph and a gross combined weight of 75,000 lb, it achieved about 1.72 kWh per mile. That energy consumption, combined with lower emissions—DHL projects roughly a 50-metric-ton reduction in greenhouse gases per truck annually—and reduced operating fuel costs, underpins the economic case for replacing diesel tractors and supports a viable return on the capital investment.
Design and international rollout
Recent sightings of a redesigned Semi show changes such as a Model Y-style light bar, higher payload capacity, and improved energy performance—Tesla has indicated roughly 1.7 kWh/mile (about a 15% improvement versus earlier prototypes), a 500-mile target range for newer designs, and substantial peak power capability. Tesla is also developing a Europe-specific variant with a sleeper cab and dimensional and safety revisions to meet EU regulations.
Strategic significance
For a multinational carrier targeting 66% of last-mile operations to be zero-emission by 2030, the ability to deploy a common electric heavy-duty platform across North America and Europe would be a major operational advantage. With volume production expected in early 2026, DHL is positioning itself to be among the first major freight operators to scale zero-emission long-haul transport—leveraging the Semi to advance both sustainability goals and cost reductions.
Fleet rollout and trials
DHL Supply Chain vice president Stephan Schablinski says the company has “more than just a handful of trucks on order” and intends to deploy them operationally rather than only run pilots. That confidence follows a successful two-week, 3,000-mile evaluation in which a fully loaded Semi covered 390 miles on a single charge. DHL reports the truck opened opportunities for routes and customers previously unsuitable for electric Class 8 vehicles—indicating use cases beyond short local hauls and into regional and middle-mile lanes.
Efficiency and economics
The Semi demonstrated strong real-world efficiency during testing: at average speeds above 50 mph and a gross combined weight of 75,000 lb, it achieved about 1.72 kWh per mile. That energy consumption, combined with lower emissions—DHL projects roughly a 50-metric-ton reduction in greenhouse gases per truck annually—and reduced operating fuel costs, underpins the economic case for replacing diesel tractors and supports a viable return on the capital investment.
Design and international rollout
Recent sightings of a redesigned Semi show changes such as a Model Y-style light bar, higher payload capacity, and improved energy performance—Tesla has indicated roughly 1.7 kWh/mile (about a 15% improvement versus earlier prototypes), a 500-mile target range for newer designs, and substantial peak power capability. Tesla is also developing a Europe-specific variant with a sleeper cab and dimensional and safety revisions to meet EU regulations.
Strategic significance
For a multinational carrier targeting 66% of last-mile operations to be zero-emission by 2030, the ability to deploy a common electric heavy-duty platform across North America and Europe would be a major operational advantage. With volume production expected in early 2026, DHL is positioning itself to be among the first major freight operators to scale zero-emission long-haul transport—leveraging the Semi to advance both sustainability goals and cost reductions.
