Diesel’s Grip Loosens as Electric Freight Rolls Out

Heavy-duty electric trucks move from pilot tests to real routes, signaling a cautious but steady industry shift

5 Oct 2025

Electric trucks are taking on a larger role in U.S. logistics operations, moving beyond pilot programs into limited but regular service within some freight fleets. Diesel-powered vehicles still dominate long-haul transport, yet these early deployments suggest that commercial electrification is beginning to take hold in parts of the supply chain.

A notable development is the entry of heavy-duty electric trucks into real-world freight operations. Long-haul trucking has long been viewed as the hardest segment to electrify, constrained by range, payload capacity and the need for near-continuous uptime. New electric models are now demonstrating the ability to haul full loads over hundreds of miles, though most deployments remain narrow in scope and carefully planned.

Among the most closely watched efforts are limited uses of Tesla’s Class 8 electric truck, known as the Semi. According to company statements and fleet operators, early highway deployments are testing whether battery-powered drivetrains can reliably replace diesel engines in demanding freight applications. For operators, the potential advantages include lower fuel expenses, simpler maintenance and progress toward compliance with increasingly stringent emissions rules.

Logistics companies, however, are proceeding deliberately. DHL Supply Chain, for example, is incorporating electric trucks into selected routes to better understand how charging schedules, routing constraints and delivery windows must change. Executives have described the strategy as a process of learning by doing, relying on operational data rather than assuming electric trucks can immediately match diesel across all use cases.

The broader market response is beginning to emerge. As electric trucks move into daily operations, manufacturers are competing to improve range, charging speed and total cost of ownership. At the same time, logistics firms are reassessing long-term fleet strategies, while investors are showing interest in high-capacity charging hubs along major freight corridors.

Obstacles remain significant. Charging infrastructure requires large upfront investments, grid capacity varies widely by region and electric trucks still carry higher purchase prices than diesel equivalents. Current deployments also represent only a small share of the nation’s freight fleet. Still, declining battery costs and expanding real-world performance data are gradually strengthening the business case.

The shift, while incremental, appears durable. Electric freight trucks are no longer confined to demonstrations or short urban routes, and their growing presence in logistics operations could influence how commercial transport evolves in the years ahead.