RoadOne expands Tesla partnership with first of up to 10 Semis

The new electric truck marks the start of a planned Tesla Semi rollout in the Oakland, Calif. market.

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RoadOne's newly acquired blue Tesla Semi unloads aluminum coils inside a warehouse.
RoadOne's newly acquired blue Tesla Semi unloads aluminum coils inside a warehouse.
RoadOne

Following multiple delays, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of the Tesla Semi (probably).

Randolph, Mass.-based RoadOne IntermodaLogistics has just announced the expansion of its existing partnership with Tesla with the addition of a Tesla Semi to its fleet. This purchase represents the first of up to ten electric semis planned for deployment in the Oakland, Calif. market.

This is not the logistics services and drayage provider's first time working directly with Tesla. The company's relationship dates back to 2012 when it began supporting shipments of aluminum coils to the OEM's Fremont stamping facility. By 2014, the relationship expanded into a just-in-time storage and delivery program that has grown significantly over time. 

Fast forward to today as RoadOne now manages onsite inventories of aluminum and steel coils and provides continuous, multi-shift deliveries to keep Tesla’s stamping operations running smoothly.

"We are thrilled to welcome the first of what could be up to ten fully-electric semi-trucks into our fleet," said Eric Weakley, senior vice president of operations, RoadOne IntermodaLogistics. "This investment reflects our commitment to efficient, environmentally responsible logistics solutions. By offering a sustainable, low-emissions option we’re not only strengthening our service, but also contributing to a cleaner and more resilient supply chain."

RoadOne confirms its Tesla Semi has been in active service for several months and has exceeded performance expectations, echoing the experience of DHL, which took delivery of its first Tesla Semi last month after completing a successful pilot program.

[Related: DHL declares: 'Tesla Semi is ready for prime time']

To recap, the Tesla Semi reportedly has the capability to deliver up to 500 miles of range and real-world efficiency of 1.9 kWh per mile while hauling average payloads of 38,000 pounds. Tesla engineers recently released a brief video showcasing the Semi's impressive Megawatt charging speed of 1.2 MW (1,206 kW), though the demonstration was done using the company's V4 Superchargers, which aren't the same as Megawatt chargers. 

The former are the next-generation stalls for passenger vehicles that are capable of supporting up to 500 kW and 1,000V systems for faster charging. Megawatt chargers, on the other hand, can deliver over 1 MW, specifically for the Tesla Semi and other large Class 8 rigs. 

Jay Traugott has covered the automotive and transportation sector for over a decade and now serves as Senior Editor for Clean Trucking. He holds a drifting license and has driven on some of the world's best race tracks, including the Nurburgring and Spa. He lives near Boulder, Colorado and spends his free time snowboarding and backcountry hiking. He can be reached at [email protected].

Hydrogen Fuel Cell & BEV Survey
The following survey was sent as a link in an email cover message in February 2023 to the newsletter lists for Overdrive and CCJ. After approximately two weeks, a total of 176 owner-operators under their own authority, 113 owner-operators leased or assigned to a carrier and 82 fleet executives and 36 fleet employees from fleets with 10 or more power units had completed and submitted the questionnaire for a total of 407 qualified responses. Cross-tabulations based on respondent type are provided for each question when applicable.
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