Related: 10 Tesla Semi Takeaways
UPS Orders 125 Tesla Semi Electric Trucks
UPS has announced it has reserved 125 Tesla Semis, the new electric Class 8 truck that was recently unveiled by Elon Musk.

UPS has placed the largest order so far for Tesla's upcoming electric truck. Photo: Tesla

UPS has announced it has reserved 125 Tesla Semis, the new electric Class 8 truck that was recently unveiled by Elon Musk.
This tops the recent 100-truck order announced by PepsiCo in November and represents the largest publicly known order for the electric truck yet.
The new tractors will join UPS’s alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet, comprised of trucks and tractors propelled by electricity, natural gas, propane, and other non-traditional fuels.
The first Tesla Semis are expected to roll off the assembly line in 2019, but UPS might not see all of its trucks right away as Tesla has a history of slowly ramping up production of its vehicles. The company only managed to produce 260 of its new Model 3 electric cars in the third quarter of this year. The Model 3 was announced in 2016 and was also initially sold through a reservation system.
The base model Tesla Semi is priced at $150,000 while a version with advertised 500-mile range begins at $180,000. It costs $20,000 to pre-order either model of Tesla Semi -- unless a buyer opts for the special edition Founders Series Tesla Semi, which costs $200,000 to reserve and buy.
“For more than a century, UPS has led the industry in testing and implementing new technologies for more efficient fleet operations," said Juan Perez, chief information and engineering officer. "We look forward to expanding further our commitment to fleet excellence with Tesla. “These groundbreaking electric tractors are poised to usher in a new era in improved safety, reduced environmental impact, and reduced cost of ownership.”
More Fuel Smarts

Cummins Adjusts 2027 Engine Rollout After EPA Proposal
The engine maker will gradually introduce its new Model Year 2027 diesel engines while continuing to offer current models during the transition, citing the EPA's proposed emissions rule changes.
Read More →
EPA Proposal Could Ease 2027 Truck Costs and Buying Uncertainty
The proposal doesn't change the tougher NOx standard, but it would revise key implementation requirements that manufacturers say have driven up costs and complicated fleet purchasing decisions.
Read More →
Cummins, Paccar Ease DEF Derates After EPA Guidance
Updated diesel engine software gives truck operators more time to address emissions-system issues while staying compliant with EPA emissions standards.
Read More →
Maintenance in the Messy Middle Part 3: Biodiesel
Biodiesel can reduce emissions, improve fuel-system lubricity and use existing diesel infrastructure. But NACFE’s Messy Middle maintenance report says fleets must actively manage storage, cold-weather operation, filters and oil drain intervals to avoid problems.
Read More →
Enhance Fleet Performance with High-Efficiency Auxiliary Power Units
Drive sustainable cost savings while increasing driver comfort during short- and long-haul logistics operations.
Read More →
Maintenance in the ‘Messy Middle’ Part 2: Renewable Diesel Fuel
NACFE's latest Messy Middle Powertrain Service & Maintenance report says renewable diesel gives fleets an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions without changing trucks, fueling infrastructure or maintenance practices. But technicians still need to understand several important operational differences.
Read More →
The Diesel Engine Enters NACFE’s ‘Messy Middle’
NACFE’s new Messy Middle Powertrain Service & Maintenance report says keeping modern diesel engines running now depends as much on software, diagnostics and data as traditional mechanical service.
Read More →
DTNA Software Update Gives Truckers More Time Before DEF Derates Take Effect
The changes reflect EPA guidance aimed at reducing downtime caused by emissions-system faults while maintaining compliance requirements.
Read More →
New Agentic Predictive Maintenance Report Demonstrates How Degraded Aftertreatment Systems Waste Fuel
Questar analyzed a large mixed-class fleet and discovered it was wasting as much as $30 in fuel per vehicle, per day, because of mechanically degraded aftertreatment systems.
Read More →
New York City's Microhub Project is Delivering Results
Trucking, last-mile delivery companies, and environmental advocates like what they are seeing so far with New York's microhub program.
Read More →
