A Challenge For Tesla Semi? Freightliner Is Already Publicly Testing 38 All-Electric Trucks

Tesla will soon be welcoming the Cybertruck to its fleet of electric vehicles, along with the Semi, which is speculated to arrive before the year ends. However, it seems the Semi's biggest competitor -- Freightliner -- is a step ahead when it comes to actual road trials.

For those wondering, the manufacturer of Tesla Semi’s rival is one of the many marques that are now under the ownership of Daimler AG. It was acquired in 1981, and now operates as Daimler Trucks North America.

It is currently testing and developing the tractor-trailer eCascadia Class 8 and box truck eM2. Company External Communication Manager, Fred Ligouri, revealed the two all-electric commercial truck models have already clocked a combined mileage of 700,000 miles, Teslarati reported.

As part of Freightliner’s Electric Innovation and Customer Experience fleet, there are 38 pre-production electric trucks plying the routes in Southern California.

Most of the publicity related to electric vehicles (EV) are usually focused on personal transportation platforms. According to the Teslarati report, Tesla is the current market leader when it comes to zero-emission passenger vehicles.

Other established carmakers and new startups still find it difficult to grab a substantial piece of the EV market from under Elon Musk’s leadership. However, the commercial vehicle segment remains unclaimed for now as suggested by the publication.

So far, there are several manufacturers that have presented machines intended for commercial use, but there are no indications of anything already destined for mass production.

Battery technology issues remain the biggest challenge for the Tesla Semi.

“These are real trucks hauling real freight in the real world and racking up zero emissions mile after mile — in excess of 700,000 thus far,” said Ligouri as published by Inverse. “Through this process of co-creation with our customers, we are ensuring durability and reliability for series-built trucks, incorporating purposeful innovations, and furnishing the opportunity for more and more fleets to experience eMobility.”

The eM2 box truck is described as a Class 6/7 truck with a ramp for hauling cargo such as furniture and other goods. Meanwhile, the eCascadia is a Class 8 tractor intended for drayage.

Compared to traditional models which normally cannot go beyond 200 miles on a regular trip, Freightliner’s all-electric alternatives can technically reach 230 to 250 miles on a single charge, the Inverse reported.

Tesla’s Semi, on the other hand, boasts a range of anywhere between 310 miles to 621 miles depending on the trim. Unlike Daimler AG’s subsidiary, there is no word if real-world testing is being conducted on the Semi.

All the numbers listed are still subject to change after regulators get their hands on production-ready units for testing.