Tesla says its Semi electric trucks enjoy less down-time than diesels

Tesla has reported that its Semi electric trucks have demonstrated significantly lower downtime compared to traditional diesel trucks during their initial year of trial operations. The company claims that the Semi fleet experienced less than five per cent downtime, surpassing the typical 8 to 10 per cent downtime seen in diesel fleets. Additionally, 75 per cent of service visits for the Semi were completed within 24 hours, a notable improvement over diesel trucks, which often require two to three days for servicing. The Tesla Semi is now entering high-volume production at the company’s Nevada Gigafactory, nearly a decade after its first unveiling in 2017. Two variants have been detailed: the Standard Range model with a 548 kWh battery offering over 500 km of range, and a Long Range version equipped with an 822 kWh battery capable of exceeding 800 km on a 37-tonne load. Both models utilise Tesla’s advanced 4680 battery cells with NMCA chemistry and support ultra-fast charging up to 1.2 MW via Tesla’s proprietary Megachargers, designed specifically for the Semi. Major logistics companies such as Walmart, Costco, and DHL have been involved in trialling the Tesla Semi, with early deliveries beginning in 2022 through a partnership with PepsiCo. The latest iteration of the Semi, unveiled last year, features enhanced range, faster charging, and increased payload capacity, reflecting Tesla’s ongoing improvements based on real-world testing. Trials with DHL in 2025 highlighted the Semi’s efficiency, recording energy consumption as low as 1.06 kWh per kilometre and a range exceeding 800 km. These developments suggest that the Tesla Semi could play a pivotal role in accelerating the electrification of heavy goods transport, offering fleets reduced operational costs and lower emissions. As Tesla expands its production capacity and service network, further data from commercial operators will be crucial in validating the Semi’s performance and reliability. The growing interest from global logistics firms indicates a strong market appetite for electric trucks capable of matching or outperforming diesel counterparts in uptime and efficiency.