Electric Trucking: Is Tesla Semi Ready?

Intracoastal Trucking, a Northeast-based carrier of 100 trucks and 600 trailers, has been running a two-week test of a Tesla Semi on urban delivery routes. The demonstration has provided valuable insights into the electric truck's performance, driver feedback, and potential operational benefits.

Two drivers participated in the trial, one handling short-haul shuttle routes and the other covering longer distances. The shuttle driver praised the Tesla Semi's acceleration, quiet ride, and expansive visibility, while the longer-haul driver found that active energy management, such as using cruise control and regenerative braking, was necessary to avoid battery depletion. Bob Lewis, Intracoastal's leader, noted that the projected savings from eliminating engine-related components could amount to $0.65 per mile.

The long-range variant of the Tesla Semi boasts a range of 525 miles, while the shorter-range version offers 325 miles. However, Intracoastal has not yet achieved the full 525-mile range in real-world operation. Charging infrastructure remains a major constraint for Northeast operators, with the only available charging point in Elizabeth, New Jersey, requiring an 8-10 hour process to reach 96% state of charge.

Tesla's Megacharger, which could reduce charging time to 20 minutes, is not yet available in the Lehigh Valley where Intracoastal operates.

Despite these challenges, Intracoastal sees significant potential for the Tesla Semi, particularly on predictable, short routes. The company plans to order five Semis for a dedicated 8-mile shuttle route serving a manufacturing plant and a co-packer, with delivery expected in 2027. Real-time telematics accessible via smartphone have also provided Lewis with valuable visibility into daily operations.