Last month’s “Run on Less” event, organized by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE), served as a triumphant showcase for Tesla’s all-electric Class 8 truck, the Tesla Semi. Full data released by the NACFE reveals that the Tesla Semi demonstrated its prowess, particularly in terms of range and charging efficiency, outperforming competitors from established truck manufacturers like Freightliner and Volvo.
John Boesel, CEO of Calstart, a prominent organization in the clean transportation industry, emphasized Tesla’s leadership in performance and range. He also noted that Tesla was the sole participant showcasing superfast charging capabilities.
Throughout the event, spanning over two weeks, the trucking research group meticulously tracked various metrics as 22 trucks traversed North America to fulfill actual orders. The data covered aspects such as charging infrastructure, charge management, truck performance, cost of ownership, and more.
Among the Tesla Semi trucks operated by PepsiCo, one significant standout was their ability to cover more miles per day on average than any other vehicle in the Run on Less event. The data collected revealed that the Semi can travel approximately 400 miles and recharge to about 80 percent state of charge in just 45 minutes.
PepsiCo’s top-performing Tesla Semi covered an average of approximately 574 miles per day throughout the 18-day event. The closest non-Tesla vehicle in terms of daily distance was WattEV’s Nikola Tre BEV, averaging about 255 miles per day. It was followed by OK Produce’s Freightliner eCascadia with an average of approximately 181 miles and Performance Team’s Volvo VNR Electric, which averaged about 175 miles per day.
Remarkably, one PepsiCo Tesla Semi impressively covered 1,076 miles in a single day, thanks to three fast-charging stops at 750-kilowatt chargers, boosting the battery charge to around 47 percent, then 89 percent, and finally 52 percent.
PepsiCo also highlighted that 60 percent of the miles driven during the 18-day event were carried with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 72,000 pounds, a weight typical in the logistics industry and nearing the 82,000-pound limit for zero-emission semi tractor-trailer combinations.
The most crucial takeaway from the event is the demonstrated ability of electric trucks to match the operations of their diesel counterparts. Drivers successfully used chargers throughout each day, debunking myths about electric truck battery range. Nearly half of the trucks, including Tesla’s Semi, utilized “second charge events” during their shifts.
While the performance of the Tesla Semi during the Run on Less event is certainly promising, it’s essential to note that Tesla has only produced the Semi in limited numbers—approximately 60 to 70 units, as stated by Tesla’s Senior Manager of Semi-Truck Engineering, Dan Priestley. To fully compete with established truck manufacturers, a substantial production ramp-up is necessary.
The Run on Less event has illuminated the Tesla Semi’s potential, underscoring its capabilities in real-world trucking operations, and it could play a significant role in the future of sustainable freight transportation.
