Sysco Reserved 50 Tesla Semis

It as a big week for Tesla Semi orders. Following an announcement from Anheuser-Busch of a 40-truck order, food distribution giant Sysco said it has reserved 50 Tesla trucks. 

Sysco operates approximately 300 distribution facilities worldwide and serves more than 500,000 customer locations. The company’s truck fleet totals 7,000.

“We are excited to begin the process of incorporating alternative-fuel trucks into our fleet,” Tom Bené, Sysco’s president and chief operating officer, said in a release. “This reinforces Sysco’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility by reducing the environmental impact of our operations. In addition to the positive environmental impacts, we will also benefit from reduced fuel and maintenance costs and drive associate enthusiasm with the introduction of new and unique technology.”

The Tesla Semi comes in two versions – 300-mile and 500-mile range at $150,000 and $180,000 respectively. A ‘Founders Series’ version for $200,000.

 

[Science fan]

Smart of Sysco and Anheiser-Busch to have reserved Tesla semis. Assuming these vehicles are produced with specs approximately as promised, they will more than pay for themselves in fewer than 1,000,000 miles with savings in fuel, repair, and depreciation costs.

 

[Tracking]

Smart of Sysco and Anheiser-Busch to have reserved Tesla semis. Assuming these vehicles are produced with specs approximately as promised, they will more than pay for themselves in fewer than 1,000,000 miles with savings in fuel, repair, and depreciation costs.

Given that fuel is such a substantial portion of the cost of motor freight, it does make sense that the Tesla semi should catch on like wildfire if it delivers approximately as promised, purely for commercial reasons without even factoring in corporate green motives. The potential for improved safety is quite appealing too. I wonder if Tesla will make a pilot program launch of a small number of hand-built semis for designated routes to prove the concept between now and when the product is supposed to launch in 2019.

 

[jbcarioca]

Interesting that the reservations have been small. Most have been like Walmart, Sysco and Imbev all of which have relatively short (i.e. <250 mile) distribution routes that represent the vast majority of their volume. The commercial truckers also have mentioned use on relatively short routes.

I am certain that Tesla can build charging networks to serve the complete need of each of the larger reservers well before their deliveries begin. The fairly long lead time between order and delivery in that industry will make range anxiety non-existent for common carriers and for corporate fleets as well. Tesl already has done such things, as in AMS taxi fleet, Jordan and probably others.

This is becoming interesting.

I wonder how soon one or more of the custom builders, even RV, make a deal with Tesla for larger scale custom production and support.

 

[Don TLR]

I wonder how soon one or more of the custom builders, even RV, make a deal with Tesla for larger scale custom production and support.

The RV is the perfect model for this, you go from plug to plug camping around the country..