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When it comes to reducing carbon emissions from freight hauling operations, replacing the diesel engines in delivery trucks with battery-powered electric trucks is where the rubber meets the road. There are three components in the freight handling spectrum where diesel emissions can be abated:
Port and distribution operations
Last-mile delivery operations
Long-haul freight operations
Replacing diesel-powered yard tractors with battery electric alternatives is already well underway, especially at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, two of the busiest ports in the world. Last-mile delivery trucks are already making the transition to battery electric vehicles because the cost of operating them is appreciably less than it is for conventional diesel-powered vehicles. The hardest nut to crack involves long-distance freight operations because the range of most battery-powered tractors is insufficient to meet the needs of fleet operators. In addition, recharging the enormous batteries needed to provide those tractors with the range they need takes much longer today than it does to fill a tank with diesel fuel.
DHL Tests The Tesla Semi
DHL is one of the largest freight-hauling companies on the planet and is actively engaged in finding ways to reduce emissions associated with its operations. Improving the sustainability of its fleet is a big part of that quest. Recently, it began partnering with Tesla in the United States to determine whether the battery electric Semi is the key to a new era of low-emissions long-haul trucking.
Electric vehicles are central to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in logistics, DHL says. EV technology for automobiles is now mainstream, and small cargo e-trucks are common in many urban areas, but electrifying long-haul tractor trailers is a much bigger challenge. Tesla is demonstrating that it can be done. DHL says it has been committed to improving the sustainability of its fleet for years as part of its broader goal to be the Green Logistics of Choice. That’s why it was excited to test the promise and potential of the Tesla Semi.
Tesla calls the Semi a beast, and DHL tends to agree. Beyond its expected competitive pricing, superior safety specs, and incredible range of 500 miles (800 km), its three motors deliver triple the power of a conventional diesel semi and acceleration of 0–60 mph (100 km/h) in 20 seconds. Your new Belchfire 5000 SUV can do it in well under 10 seconds. The difference is that the Tesla Semi can do it while hauling 80,000 pounds — the gross weight of a fully loaded semi-trailer and tractor.
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DHL Supply Chain USA took a thorough look under the hood of the Tesla Semi, integrating the e-truck into 3,000 miles (5,000 km) of normal operations from its distribution hub in Livermore, California. The two-week trial included one long haul of 390 miles (625 km) fully loaded with a gross combined weight of 75,000 pounds (34 metric tons), which confirmed the ability of the Tesla Semi to carry typical DHL payloads over a long distance on a single charge. During the trial, the Tesla Semi averaged 1.72 kWh per mile operating at speeds exceeding 50 mph (80 km/h) on average for over half its time on the road. The result exceeded DHL’s expectations and Tesla’s own rating. DHL says its verdict after the testing was completed was that the Tesla Semi is ready for prime time!
Putting the Tesla Semi to the test allowed DHL to validate whether it could travel 500 miles with a fully loaded trailer and see what its drivers thought of the truck’s performance. It was encouraged by how quickly their drivers gained confidence in the vehicle and leveraged the Tesla’s smart features to help improve performance, comfort, and the overall driver experience. Following the successful trial phase, DHL Supply Chain USA is now carefully planning how it can best integrate these electric trucks into its network as Tesla gears up for large-scale production of the Semi in 2026.
Graham Caroll, the head of business development for the Tesla Semi, said after the DHL testing was completed, “Maximizing range and efficiency is crucial to proving that long-haul electric vehicles can perform equivalent work to diesel. We’re excited to see DHL confirm the benefits of the Semi’s advanced technology and driver-centric features in live commercial operations.”
Daimler Delivers 29 Electric Trucks To Reyes
Reyes Beverage Group is a prominent distributor in the beverage industry, with operations across the United States. Recently, it took delivery of 29 Freightliner eCascadia electric trucks from Daimler Truck North America, whose headquarters are in Portland, Oregon. The trucks will be used by Reyes in its California operations and mark the first phase of Reyes’ plan to transition to a zero-emissions fleet by 2039. The trucks, designed for productivity and sustainability, will significantly aid its goal of reducing carbon emissions by 60 percent by 2030.
The 29 electric trucks are expected to save over 98,000 gallons of diesel annually and eliminate nearly 700 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Charging stations supplied by DTNA allow the electric trucks to recharge to 80 percent capacity in as little as 90 minutes. The eCascadia features multiple battery configurations and a driving range of up to 230 miles.
The Freightliner eCascadia was developed to support the evolving needs of fleet operators transitioning to zero-emissions vehicles. “The Freightliner eCascadia is built with maximum productivity in mind for fleets switching to efficient, zero-emission vehicles,” said David Carson, senior vice president, sales and marketing for DTNA. Reyes Beverage Group’s adoption of these electric trucks builds on their ongoing sustainability efforts, including their renewable diesel transition and idle-time reduction program.
These eCascadia trucks are equipped with Detroit proprietary ePowertrain for enhanced power, efficiency, and reliability. In addition, Detroit Assurance with Active Brake Assist 5 ensures road safety, making these trucks suitable for both efficiency and driver protection. The eCascadia’s charging stations will allow for quick recharging, ensuring minimal downtime for RBG’s distribution operations. To assist customers in transitioning to electric vehicles, DTNA offers comprehensive electrification solutions, such as Detroit eFill commercial chargers and Detroit eConsulting services. This support helps ensure a smooth shift to zero-emission operations, which aligns with industry trends toward sustainability.
The Takeaway
The diesel engine has been a workhorse for over a century. It built roads and bridges and it hauled cargo in tractor trailers from coast to coast since the first transcontinental highways were completed. But it comes with some drawbacks. Not only does it produce carbon dioxide, it also is a major source of fine particulates and pollution by oxides of nitrogen. The day of the diesel has come and gone. Now the era of electric tractors has begun, and not a moment too soon.
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