Contract logistics provider DHL Supply Chain has taken delivery of its first all-electric Tesla Semi, marking one of the first rollouts of the vehicle since the vehicle launched with a glitzy announcement in 2017, garnered hundreds of pre-orders, then sank into production delays for years.
Since then, other vendors have stepped into the gap, selling Class 8 models from automakers like Volvo, Daimler Freightliner and Kenworth, as well as Class 6 models, vans, and yard jockeys from many others.
Now Westerville, Ohio-based DHL Supply Chain says it has actually laid hands on one of the Tesla Semi trucks, saying it expands the company’s total fleet of Class 8 electric vehicles in North America to more than 150. From DHL’s point of view, that marks a significant milestone in its group-wide commitment to reduce absolute CO₂e emissions to 29 million metric tons in 2030 and be net zero by 2050. And DHL said it plans to add more Semis in 2026 as Tesla begins its volume production.
The announcement came just days after another industry firm, the Ohio-based integrated logistics solution provider Keller Logistics Group said it had completed a “pre-production planning session with the Tesla Semi program team.”
The company did not share details, but said the move was part of the framework it applies to every modernization effort. According to Keller, that starts by matching the right truck to the right job and assessing performance across yard, shuttle, and regional applications. The company’s team evaluates total cost of ownership—covering infrastructure, utilities, maintenance, and incentives—to ensure the economics hold in real operations.
“From electrification and yard automation to digital visibility and warehouse technology, our teams are continually pressure-testing what’s next. The Tesla Semi discussion is one more way we evaluate new tools against our standards for safety, uptime, and customer ROI,” company CEO Bryan Keller said in a release. “We don’t chase trends, we pressure-test what works.”
Likewise, DHL said it had acquired its Tesla Semi following pilot testing in Livermore, California, where the truck covered over 3,000 miles of regular routes. During testing, the all-electric truck demonstrated efficiency averaging 1.72 kWh per mile while hauling a gross combined weight of 75,000 pounds over a 390-mile long-haul route. Now operating from its new home in Central California, the truck is travelling approximately 100 miles per day, requires charging about once per week, and offers a range of up to 500 miles fully loaded.
“Our pilot of the Tesla Semi exceeded expectations, proving its ability to efficiently haul a typical DHL freight over long distances on a single charge,” Jim Monkmeyer, President, Transportation, DHL Supply Chain North America, said in a release. “Integrating the Tesla Semi into our fleet is an important step toward achieving our decarbonization goals and delivering more sustainable solutions for our customers. With its range of up to 500 miles, the Semi unlocks opportunities that were previously beyond the limits of heavy-duty EVs, and we’re excited to partner with Tesla to make that a reality.”
