ArcBest has strengthened its commitment to sustainable freight transportation by adding two Tesla Semi Class 8 electric trucks to the ABF Freight fleet. The investment follows a successful operational pilot conducted in 2025 and represents another step in the company’s long-term strategy to evaluate advanced transportation technologies while maintaining operational efficiency, safety and reliability.
The newly acquired long-range electric trucks will primarily operate on linehaul routes across California, with services gradually extending into Reno, Nevada, and additional western corridors. The deployment significantly broadens the operational footprint compared with last year’s pilot, which largely focused on the Reno–Sacramento route.
The expanded programme will allow ABF Freight to assess vehicle performance under a wider range of operating conditions, traffic patterns and freight movements. The company intends to measure the electric trucks against conventional diesel-powered tractors using established benchmarks that include operating costs, energy efficiency, maintenance requirements, safety performance and driver satisfaction.
Matt Godfrey, President of ABF Freight, said the pilot project demonstrated that battery-electric heavy-duty trucks could successfully perform in real-world less-than-truckload operations. The latest deployment will provide more extensive operational data across additional routes, helping the company evaluate the long-term viability of electric Class 8 vehicles within its nationwide network.
During the initial pilot programme, the Tesla Semi recorded an average energy consumption of approximately 1.55 kilowatt-hours per mile, delivering encouraging efficiency levels for heavy-duty freight transport. The broader deployment is expected to generate additional insights into vehicle performance across different terrain, weather conditions and daily freight schedules.
Driver response during the pilot was also positive. Operators highlighted the vehicle’s comfortable cabin, enhanced visibility and smooth driving experience. The trucks also demonstrated dependable performance while traversing challenging routes, including steep mountain grades such as the Donner Pass corridor. As the evaluation progresses, ArcBest plans to continue monitoring vehicle reliability, charging infrastructure requirements and total ownership costs before determining future fleet expansion plans.
Founded more than a century ago, ArcBest has grown into one of North America’s leading integrated logistics providers. The company operates through an extensive network of approximately 250 service centres and campuses supported by nearly 14,000 employees. Its logistics portfolio spans ground, air and ocean transportation, managed supply chain solutions and technology-driven freight management.
ArcBest continues investing in digital innovation alongside fleet modernization. Through its proprietary ArcBest View platform, customers gain access to integrated shipment tracking, booking, reporting and supply chain visibility tools. The latest addition of electric heavy-duty vehicles reflects the company’s broader objective of building a more efficient, environmentally responsible logistics network while delivering dependable service across North America.
