Uber Freight is launching a ‘Devoted EV Fleet Accelerator Program’ in partnership with Tesla to decrease essentially the most vital barrier to electrical Class 8 adoption: upfront value.
The client program pairs buy subsidies for Tesla Semis with pre‑organized devoted freight and route planning round Tesla’s Semi Charger community, which is at present being deployed within the US.
Because the title implies, the Devoted EV Fleet Accelerator Program goals to speed up the deployment of electrical autos in Uber Freight fleets.
Right here’s how Uber goals to attain that from the press launch:
- Sponsored Value: Fleets buying Tesla Semis by means of this program will obtain a subsidy on the acquisition worth.
- Predictable Development: Fleets will combine their Tesla Semis into Uber Freight’s devoted options for shippers for a pre-determined interval. This creates a chance for carriers to forecast income with confidence, whereas shippers acquire constant entry to dependable, zero-emission capability.
- Optimize Utilization: Uber Freight faucets into its intensive freight community to match carriers with constant, high-quality freight from our robust shipper base—serving to make sure the addition of those Tesla Semis keep absolutely utilized and carriers see devoted, actual, measurable returns from the beginning.
Uber truly had an analogous partnership with Tesla for its passenger autos in Uber’s ride-hailing fleet. Uber drivers had been provided reductions on Tesla autos and Tesla built-in Uber’s app in its system to work with the automobile’s navigation and solely counsel rides inside the car’s present vary.
Now, Uber Freight will combine its software program on Tesla Semi vehicles and assist truckers get routes that work with the electrical vehicles and its
There are nonetheless many unknowns about this system. Primarily, we don’t understand how a lot Uber and Tesla are subsidizing the vehicles.
We don’t even have the value of the Tesla Semi.
Tesla initially introduced a worth of $150,000 for the 300-mile model of the Tesla Semi and $180,000 for the 500-mile model, however this was in 2017, when the electrical truck was initially unveiled.
The car program has been delayed a number of instances since and Tesla by no means up to date the value publicly since.
We lately reported on an early Tesla Semi buyer, Ryder, complaining of a “dramatic” worth improve. The worth might have doubled, based mostly on paperwork Ryders submitted to authorities to acquire financing for its Tesla Semi check fleet.
Now Uber Freight says that Tesla will overview the entire value of possession with potential fleet consumers by means of its new program.
Tesla Semi is now anticipated to enter quantity manufacturing in 2026.
The automaker can be beginning to deploy its Megacharger stations, EV fast-charging stations designed for business electrical autos, such because the Tesla Semi.
It’s at present primarily putting in Megachargers at its personal services and people of early check companions, however there are additionally a number of public Megacharger stations on the best way.
Electrek’s Take
That is cool. We don’t know the precise dimension of the subsidy, however it’s a vital improvement that Uber Freight is providing extra job alternatives for many who personal an electrical truck.
It ought to encourage extra fleet managers to speed up their fleet transition to electrical autos.
The sticker worth is usually a big barrier to EV adoption, although the entire value of possession is usually cheaper than that of inner combustion engine autos. Nevertheless, for truckers, the entire value of possession is rather more vital since it’s their enterprise.
Nevertheless, every little thing means that the Tesla Semi will value nearer to $300,000 than $150,000, and due to this fact, each consideration is vital when making such a big buy.
Apparently, this new partnership coincides with Rebecca Tinucci’s current appointment as CEO of Uber Freight.
Tinucci was the pinnacle of Tesla’s charging division till final yr when she was reportedly fired, alongside along with her complete staff, by Elon Musk after she refused to let go a better share of her staff.
Now, she is again working with Tesla by means of this program.
