Amazon acquires 500 Tesla Semi trucks for €125 million
The electrification of heavy transport is now a consolidated reality. Whether China, currently preparing to deploy 100,000 of these trucks by 2030, or even if they are already in operation in demanding tasks such as heavy mining, the world's most advanced battery-powered truck, the Tesla Semi, offering a range of up to 805 km, has marked a new milestone.
As noted by the e-commerce giant Amazon, the Swedish logistics company Einride, which counts the e-commerce giant as its main client, has finalized the purchase of 500 trucks from Tesla, representing the largest order in the history of the world's most famous electric truck. The order value could reach €125 million.
A €125 million order.
While Amazon had already demonstrated a strong commitment to electric mobility, being the largest customer of a Volkswagen strategic partner, its CEO, Jeff Bezos, will now have to align himself with Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla. It's certainly worth noting that two of the world's wealthiest men have been rivals on numerous occasions. Currently, Amazon has marked a milestone in the global transportation sector.
Dan Priestley, head of Tesla's Semi division, explained the reasons for the agreement: "Heavy-duty electric trucks offer a lower cost per mile, thanks to reduced fuel consumption, decreased maintenance needs, and greater availability compared to diesel trucks." Indeed, his opinion is perfectly valid. While the agreement between the Amazon-affiliated transportation company and Tesla doesn't specify which of the 500 Tesla Semi models were acquired, it's relevant to mention that Einride already had an additional 250 electric trucks. It's important to note that Tesla offers its standard version of the electric truck with a range of 523 kilometers (325 miles), and the Long Range variant with a range of 805 kilometers.
According to Electrek, the costs of the Tesla Semi Standard and Long Range, estimated at approximately $260,000 and $290,000 respectively, suggest that the deal between Amazon's carrier and Tesla could reach a final value of between $130 and $145 million, equivalent to more than €125 million.
Einride joins the distinguished list of Tesla Semi customers, which includes renowned companies such as Pepsi, which contributed to the vehicle's testing, and WattEV, specializing in electric transportation and charging infrastructure. To date, WattEV had placed the largest order in Tesla Semi history.
This order for 500 trucks is particularly timely for Tesla, which is facing its biggest commercial setback. The plant where the Tesla Semi is manufactured, located next to the brand's Gigafactory in Nevada, was designed to produce up to 50,000 units per year. Currently, this figure ranges between 5,000 and 15,000 units annually, with significant growth projected for the near future.
