Real-World Test Shows Tesla Semi Running at Just 15¢ Per Mile — Far Below Diesel

Tesla’s all-electric Class 8 Semi demonstrated strong real-world performance on demanding freight routes in Texas.

Mone Transport, a logistics company specializing in cross-border operations between the U.S. and Mexico, completed a large on-road evaluation of the Tesla Semi, with outcomes that surpassed Tesla’s official efficiency estimate.

We're thrilled with the results!

The Texas Test Run

In a recent post, Mone Transport published data from its Semi pilot.

"Mone Transport recently had the opportunity to put the Tesla Semi to the test, and we're thrilled with the results!"

Across the program, the truck covered more than 4,700 miles within Mone’s Texas operations and averaged just 1.64 kWh per mile.

This result was achieved with the existing version of the Semi, not the redesigned Semi, which improves the truck in several ways.

Beating Benchmarks

The 1.64 kWh/mile figure undercuts Tesla’s officially stated target of 1.7 kWh per mile for the Semi.

Relative to conventional diesel trucks, the gap is substantial: a typical Class 8 diesel semi returns around 6 to 7 miles per gallon, or roughly 5.5 kWh per mile on an energy-equivalent basis. In practice, the Tesla Semi carried out heavy-duty logistics using three to four times less energy while producing zero tailpipe emissions.

Translating efficiency into operating cost, as of March 2026 the average all-in commercial electricity rate in Texas is 9.12 cents per kWh.

At 1.64 kWh per mile, the Semi costs roughly 15 cents per mile to power. By comparison, a Class 8 diesel truck averaging about 6.5 miles per gallon, combined with the Gulf Coast regional average diesel price of roughly $3.11 per gallon, comes out to nearly 48 cents per mile.

That equates to nearly a 70% reduction in energy expense for regional operators, dropping from almost half a dollar per mile to about 15 cents.

A Growing Validation Network

Mone Transport joins other fleets that have reported similarly strong results for the Semi:

• ArcBest’s ABF Freight Division recorded 1.55 kWh per mile over 4,494 miles, including a 7,200-foot climb over the Donner Pass.
• PepsiCo, the largest Semi fleet operator, has averaged 1.7 kWh per mile during its pilot programs.
• DHL and Saia reported 1.72 kWh per mile and 1.73 kWh per mile, respectively, in their pilots.

With volume production planned at a dedicated facility in Northern Nevada later this year, these pilot results are supplying fleet managers with concrete data to support a shift to sustainable transport.