Introducing Uber Freight’s Dedicated EV Fleet Accelerator Program, in partnership with Tesla

Reducing operational costs, cutting emissions, and diversifying fuel options have long been priorities for both carriers and shippers. Electric vehicles (EVs) offer a smart option for fleets, benefitting the environment and customers alike by delivering a lower cost, quieter, and more efficient solution, all while diversifying fleet operations, expanding their fleets’ business and increasing capacity for shippers. But for many fleets, the upfront investment and infrastructure hurdles remain significant barriers to adoption. 

In alignment with Uber’s global commitment to building a zero-emissions transportation ecosystem, Uber Freight is launching the Dedicated EV Fleet Accelerator Program in partnership with Tesla. This first-of-its-kind buyer’s program is designed to make electric freight more affordable and accessible by addressing key adoption barriers. With this initiative, Uber Freight aims to accelerate the adoption of EVs across supply chains, making the journey to a zero-emission future more achievable than ever. 

Listening to the Industry – Key Insights from Carrier Feedback 

Uber Freight works closely with fleet partners to understand both the opportunities and hurdles of EV adoption. The shift toward electric Class 8 trucks is gaining momentum due to the demonstrated benefits to total cost of ownership (TCO), but most electric trucks still cost more upfront than conventional diesel trucks, and this price gap is the primary barrier to widespread adoption, even as EV transportation becomes an increasing priority for shippers and carriers. The feedback has been consistent: while there is enthusiasm around new technology and long-term efficiencies, concerns about upfront costs and financial risk remain high. Carriers want a path to electrification that supports their bottom line and positions their businesses for growth. 

Fleets are also closely watching the buildout of charging infrastructure and how it aligns with route planning. As Tesla expands its Semi Charger network, Uber Freight is designing dedicated routes around available infrastructure to help fleets adopt EVs more practically. 

Making Electric Affordable: How the Program Works¹ 

Uber Freight’s Dedicated EV Fleet Accelerator Program provides fleets with a subsidized entry point into electrification, paired with reliable demand from our dedicated freight network. It starts with solving for the biggest obstacles facing EV adoption: upfront cost, predictability, and ROI. Here’s how the program works: 

• Subsidized Price: Fleets purchasing Tesla Semis through this program will receive a subsidy on the purchase price.   

• Predictable Growth: Fleets will integrate their Tesla Semis into Uber Freight’s dedicated solutions for shippers for a pre-determined period. This creates an opportunity for carriers to forecast revenue with confidence, while shippers gain consistent access to reliable, zero-emission capacity. 
• Optimize Utilization: Uber Freight taps into its extensive freight network to match carriers with consistent, high-quality freight from our strong shipper base—helping ensure the addition of these Tesla Semis stay fully utilized and carriers see dedicated, real, measurable returns from the start.
    

Tesla Insights: Participating fleets can schedule dedicated sessions with Tesla to review technical details and total cost of ownership assumptions specific to the fleets’ operational profile. With reduced pricing, fleets will start seeing savings from avoided diesel fuel and reduced maintenance costs from day one. 

Electrify Your Fleet with Uber Freight’s EV Fleet Accelerator Program 

Why Fleets Should Join 

 This partnership model offers fleets the chance to adopt cutting-edge EV technology without taking on added risks. Key benefits include: 

• Lowering upfront costs for the Tesla Semi 

• Secured revenue stream over multi-year dedicated contracts 

• Future-proofing their fleets by diversifying with zero-emission assets 

• Access to Uber Freight’s network of shippers demanding EV transport options 

Uber Freight handles the heavy lifting—finding ongoing demand for dedicated EV capacity—so fleets can focus on delivering outstanding service. 

Long-Term Cost Advantages 

The Tesla Semi offers a best-in-class combination of battery range (up to 500 miles), rapid charging (up to 1.2 MW), and strong payload capabilities (45,000–47,000 lbs) at a projected lower TCO than diesel.  

 While the upfront purchase price is often the focus, it’s the long-term cost of ownership that tells the real story. Here’s how EVs and diesel trucks stack up over years on the road: 

• Fuel Savings: Diesel trucks average 6 to 8 miles per gallon, with fuel often exceeding $4 per gallon. Electric Class 8 trucks operate at a significantly lower cost per mile. Charging is estimated at just 20 to 30 percent of the diesel equivalent, leading to thousands in annual savings.
  

• Lower Maintenance: Diesel engines are complex, require regular oil changes, and involve many components that wear down. EVs have fewer moving parts, fewer items requiring regular maintenance, and simpler drivetrains. Studies suggest EVs can cut maintenance costs by up to 40 percent compared to diesel trucks.
  

• Total Cost of Ownership: Accounting for these fuel savings and lower maintenance costs, EVs can match or beat the TCO of diesel trucks, resulting in attractive paybacks ahead of a fleet’s standard diesel replacement cycle. Uber Freight’s Dedicated EV Fleet Accelerator Program accelerates this transition by helping fleets achieve price parity with diesel faster. Instead of waiting on operational savings to offset an incrementally higher purchase price, Uber Freight’s program allows electric truck operators to accrue savings from lower operating costs immediately. California and Texas are the largest road transportation markets in the U.S. Across two example applications, drayage and transport, electric trucks will realize savings in accordance with their operational profiles which are impacted by factors such as speed, miles driven, cost of diesel and electricity, and more. 

Source: Tesla Internal Data and Modeling 

Lessons from the Road: Pilot Program Insights 

Before launching at scale, Uber Freight partnered with a select group of carriers to pilot the Dedicated EV Fleet Accelerator Program using Tesla Semis. The pilot helped validate program structure and gather key learnings from the field. 

During the 2-month pilot program, the Tesla Semis showcased both reliability and efficiency for Uber Freight’s shipper network. Over 394 hours of drive time, carriers covered 12,377 miles. With an average net energy consumption of just 1.72 kWh per mile and only 60 hours of total charge time, these results highlight the operational viability of Tesla Semis on demanding freight lanes. 

From early adopters, two things stood out: the real-world impact of lower fuel and maintenance costs, and the value of working alongside Uber Freight’s dedicated support team.  

“Running electric trucks in Northern California was new territory for us, but the cost savings quickly became clear. With Uber Freight’s support and partnership, we had the confidence to invest in our fleet’s long-term performance.”
~New Legend 

The success of the pilot program reinforces Uber Freight’s belief that electric trucking isn’t just an innovative vision—it’s a practical, profitable path forward. With lessons learned from our partners on the ground, we’re confident the Dedicated EV Fleet Accelerator Program is built to deliver benefits from day one. 

The Network of Choice for Freight Electrification 

With nearly 18 million shipments per year, industry-leading logistics technology, and partnerships with thousands of world-class shippers, Uber Freight is uniquely positioned to lead the industry’s transition to electric. We’ve been investing in electrification for years, piloting EV capacity with select carriers and gaining valuable experience on how to deploy electric trucks effectively across real routes and operations. The Dedicated EV Fleet Accelerator Program builds on that foundation and represents another step forward in our ongoing commitment to a smarter, more efficient freight ecosystem. 

Ready to help drive the future of transportation? Contact Uber Freight to learn more about how your fleet can join the Dedicated EV Fleet Accelerator Program and take the lead in a zero-emission future.  

Contact Uber Freight to learn more 

^{1. Participation in Uber Freight’s Dedicated EV Fleet Accelerator Program is available only if the participating carrier enters into a fully executed contract with Uber Freight regarding this program and the dedicated carrier arrangement. Carrier eligibility for the program is determined by Uber Freight in its sole discretion.}

Sources: 

Fuel vs. Electricity 

• Average Diesel Prices:
  U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA): The EIA regularly reports on-diesel fuel retail prices in the U.S. As of early 2024, average diesel prices have been above $4/gallon.
  EIA – U.S. Retail Diesel Prices 

• Electric Truck Charging Costs:
  North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE): Their “Run on Less – Electric” report demonstrates that electric trucks typically operate at one-third the energy cost per mile compared to diesel, considering both fuel and efficiency differences.
  NACFE – Run on Less Electric 

Maintenance Savings 

• EV Truck Maintenance Cost Reduction:
  U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (DOE EERE): Reports and infographics show EVs can have maintenance costs up to 40% lower than internal combustion vehicles, due to fewer moving parts and no oil changes.
  DOE EERE – Maintenance Costs of Light-Duty Electric Vehicles
  (While this specific report focuses on light-duty vehicles, trends are applicable to heavy-duty fleets and supported by early heavy-duty EV pilot studies.) 

• Industry Pilot Results:
  North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE): Their pilot studies with Class 8 electric trucks also note reduced scheduled maintenance and less frequent component failures.
  NACFE – Electric Trucks Pilot Reports 

Total Cost of Ownership 

• Comprehensive Cost Comparison for Heavy-Duty Trucks:
  International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT): Their “Total Cost of Ownership for Tractor-Trailers in the United States” report estimates parity or lower TCO for battery-electric trucks within a 5–7 year window, driven by energy and maintenance savings plus incentives.
  ICCT – Total Cost of Ownership for Tractor-Trailers 

• Industry Trends:
  McKinsey & Company: Analysis predicts that by the late 2020s, EV trucks could offer a lower TCO than diesel, especially for high-utilization, long-haul fleets.
  McKinsey – Why most e-trucks will soon be cheaper to own than diesel trucks