The era of the Tesla Semi is officially underway, with yet another fleet making the transition to electrification.
Paper Transport Inc. (PTI) announced this week the expansion of its alternative-fuel strategy with a new pilot program to evaluate the Tesla Semi Long Range in dedicated freight operations in the Chicago market.
[Related: Tesla confirms Semi mass production beginning this year]
The transportation provider said the evaluation is designed to determine how the battery-electric Class 8 truck performs in real-world fleet operations while helping customers reduce transportation-related emissions without sacrificing reliability or operating efficiency.
The Chicago pilot focuses on PTI's dedicated fleet model, where trucks operate on predictable routes with consistent daily mileage. The company said those operating conditions provide an ideal environment for assessing the performance, range, and efficiency of battery-electric trucks.
[Related: Alyath to unveil 'Tesla Semi as a Service' model at ACT Expo 2026]
"PTI has been a leader in sustainable transportation solutions for over 15 years," said Tyler Ellison, CEO of PTI. "We take a consultative approach to helping customers identify and implement the right transportation solution for their network. Our partnership with Tesla expands our portfolio alongside renewable natural gas and intermodal, giving customers more ways to reduce Scope 3 emissions without compromising service or economics."
PTI said the Tesla Semi evaluation is part of its broader strategy to offer customers multiple pathways for lowering supply chain emissions. In addition to battery-electric trucks, the company currently supports emissions reduction efforts through renewable natural gas (RNG) and intermodal transportation.
Bryan Ellen, PTI's vice president of maintenance, said the company sees strong potential and growth for battery-electric trucks within dedicated operations.
"We are excited to partner with Tesla, leveraging their ever-evolving technology," Ellen said. "We are bullish in our estimation of the parallels available between our dedicated model and the efficiency of their fully electric Class 8 tractor. We anticipate a growing synergy between our businesses as we work to facilitate this sustainable solution for our customers."
This latest initiative builds on PTI's years of dedication of investing in alternative-fuel transportation. According to the company, its fleet has accumulated more than 87 million miles operating on compressed and renewable natural gas, and it continues to expand the range of lower-emissions transportation options available to shippers seeking to reduce Scope 3 emissions.
