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Paper Transport Initiates Tesla Semi Long Range Trial in Chicago as Electric Truck Adoption Accelerates

Wisconsin-based carrier Paper Transport has launched a trial of Tesla’s 500-mile Semi Long Range in Chicago, joining a growing list of fleets testing zero-emission Class 8 trucks. The move follows Tesla’s production ramp-up and dominance in California’s clean truck voucher program.

Editorial Team7/14/2026Updated 7/14/2026

Wisconsin-based freight carrier Paper Transport (PTI) has begun evaluating Tesla’s Semi Long Range in dedicated operations within the Chicago market, the company announced on July 13. The trial marks PTI’s first deployment of a battery-electric Class 8 truck, expanding its sustainability initiatives alongside its existing fleet of compressed and renewable natural gas vehicles. PTI has logged over 87 million miles on alternative fuels over the past 15 years.

Tesla Semi Specs and Fleet Adoption

The Tesla Semi Long Range, the focus of PTI’s evaluation, offers a 500-mile range and is powered by an 800-kW tri-motor drivetrain delivering 1,072 horsepower. The truck can recharge at speeds of up to 1.2 MW using Tesla’s Megacharger network, restoring 60% of its range in approximately 30 minutes. Tesla revealed these specifications in February 2026, alongside a Standard Range model with a 325-mile capacity. The Long Range and Standard Range models are priced at $290,000 and $260,000, respectively—significantly below the 2024 average price of $435,000 for zero-emission Class 8 trucks, as reported by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

PTI’s trial follows Tesla’s April 29 milestone, when the company rolled the first Semi off its high-volume production line at Gigafactory Nevada. The 1.7-million-square-foot facility is designed to produce up to 50,000 trucks annually. Tesla’s production ramp-up has coincided with growing fleet adoption: PepsiCo now operates nearly 100 Tesla Semis across depots in Modesto, Sacramento, and Fresno, California, while less-than-truckload carrier ArcBest and drayage operator MDB have also integrated the trucks into their operations. ArcBest reported its Tesla Semis averaged 1.55 kWh per mile during a 2025 pilot, demonstrating improved energy efficiency compared to earlier industry benchmarks.

California Voucher Program Highlights Demand

Demand for the Tesla Semi is evident in California, where the truck accounted for 965 of the 1,067 applications submitted to the state’s Clean Truck & Bus Voucher program between January 2025 and February 2026. The program provides financial incentives for zero-emission truck purchases, and Tesla’s dominance in applications underscores its competitive positioning in the market. Competitors Daimler, PACCAR, and Volvo combined for fewer than 100 applications during the same period.

"Our partnership with Tesla expands our portfolio alongside renewable natural gas and intermodal options, giving customers more ways to reduce Scope 3 emissions without compromising service or economics," said PTI CEO Tyler Ellison. Bryan Ellen, PTI’s Vice President of Maintenance, added, "We see strong parallels between our dedicated operating model and the efficiency of Tesla’s fully electric Class 8 tractor. Predictable routes and consistent mileage make this an ideal proving ground for battery-electric performance."

Charging Infrastructure Remains Key Challenge

While demand for the Tesla Semi continues to grow, charging infrastructure remains a critical bottleneck for widespread adoption. Tesla has opened its first Megacharger station in Ontario, California, and has mapped 66 Megacharger locations across 15 states. However, the expansion of this network will be essential for fleets like PTI, which operates in the Chicago market. The success of PTI’s evaluation could hinge on the availability of charging infrastructure to support a potential full deployment.

Tesla holds reservations from major carriers, including Walmart Canada (130 Semis), Sysco, Anheuser-Busch, UPS, DHL, and J.B. Hunt. However, the pace of deliveries will depend on Tesla’s ability to scale production and expand its Megacharger network. Industry observers note that dedicated routes, such as those used by PTI, provide an optimal environment for electric truck adoption due to predictable duty cycles and known energy requirements.

Fred Lambert, author of the original report on PTI’s trial, emphasized that charging infrastructure—not demand—is the primary constraint for Tesla Semi adoption. "A Chicago-market operation like PTI’s will need the Megacharger network to expand east before an evaluation can transition into a full fleet deployment," Lambert noted. He also highlighted that total cost of ownership for electric semis is already competitive with diesel for many routes, citing ArcBest’s energy efficiency data as evidence.

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