Tesla Inc. (TSLA) just handed over its first Semi truck to DHL, the German logistics heavyweight, marking another step forward for the electric truck that's been a long time coming.

DHL Puts the Semi Through Its Paces

In a statement released last week, DHL announced it took delivery of its first Tesla Semi in North America, pushing the company's fleet of Class 8 electric vehicles past 150 trucks. But before committing, DHL wanted to see what this thing could actually do.

The results? Pretty impressive. During more than 3,000 miles of testing, the Semi hauled over 75,000 pounds across a 390-mile route, averaging 1.72 kWh per mile. That's the kind of real-world performance data that matters when you're running a logistics operation.

"Our pilot of the Tesla Semi exceeded expectations, proving its ability to efficiently haul a typical DHL freight over long distances on a single charge," said Jim Monkmeyer, DHL's President of transportation for Supply Chain North America.

The truck is now operating in California, covering about 100 miles per day and only needs charging once a week. DHL says it offers a fully-loaded range of 500 miles, which makes the charging schedule make sense. And here's the kicker: DHL plans to add more Semi trucks in 2026 as "Tesla begins volume production," according to the statement.

Dan Priestley, Tesla's Director of Semi Program, returned the compliment: "DHL has been a great partner to work with, and we appreciate their early and longstanding support for the Semi program."

Volume Production on the Horizon

The timing aligns with Elon Musk's claims that the Semi would enter volume production next year. Tesla is apparently serious about expansion too, having hired Usuf Schemo to head Semi operations in Europe as the company eyes the continent.

Tesla recently unveiled an updated Semi design featuring increased payload capacity and efficiency. The truck offers 500 miles of range and supports 1.2 MW charging, which should help address one of the biggest concerns with electric heavy-duty vehicles: downtime.

There's also a new deal with Uber Technologies Inc. (UBER) Freight division. Priestley highlighted the partnership as a catalyst for broader EV adoption in trucking, "as operators realize the cost and maintenance benefits Semi offers." Lower operating costs and reduced maintenance are the kind of economics that could actually move the needle in an industry where margins matter.

Price Action: TSLA dropped 3.39% to $439.58 at market close, declining 0.02% during after-hours to $439.49, according to market data.