Deliver 2025 Summit focuses on freight decarbonization: Uber Freight partners with Tesla to launch electric truck project

According to Zhitong Finance APP, to promote the decarbonization process in the freight sector, Uber Freight announced the launch of a dedicated electric vehicle fleet accelerator program at the Deliver 2025 annual summit held in Jacksonville, Florida, by founder and chairman Lior Ron. The program aims to accelerate the adoption of electric trucks through a strategic partnership with Tesla (TSLA.US). This initiative is a direct response to widespread feedback in the industry, providing fleets with the opportunity to purchase/use Tesla Semi at subsidized prices, ensuring the demand from Uber Freight's shipper network and operational support, thereby enhancing vehicle utilization and long-term investment returns.

Lior Ron emphasized that although electric trucks can significantly reduce operating costs in the long run, high initial costs, gaps in charging infrastructure, and uncertainties in revenue potential hinder widespread adoption. Uber Freight will collaborate with Tesla to equalize the price of the Semi with that of diesel trucks through financing support, while optimizing fleet networks, charging locations, and freight routes to ensure seamless charging during operations.

It is understood that Tesla launched the all-electric Class 8 Semi truck in 2017, began production in 2022, and is expected to reach mass production by the end of 2025, with sales starting in 2026. The fully loaded range is expected to reach 300 to 500 miles.

During the two-month pilot of the accelerator program, the Tesla Semi has accumulated over 12,377 miles driven, operating for over 394 hours, with an average net energy consumption of 1.72 kilowatt-hours per mile under a total of 60 hours of charging conditions. Deliver 2025, lasting three days, gathered about 200 shippers and industry experts to discuss topics such as last-mile delivery, fraud, tariffs, nearshoring, artificial intelligence, cross-border logistics, and multimodal transport.

Rebecca Tinucci, CEO of Uber Freight, pointed out in her keynote speech that logistics has become a board priority. She was appointed as the new CEO in August this year and has officially taken the helm, succeeding Lior Ron, who will transition to Chief Operating Officer of autonomous truck pioneer Waabi (with Uber as a major investor). Tinucci mentioned that in the past year, global import tariffs, rail disruptions, and geopolitical events have impacted shipping routes, directly affecting corporate profitability and prompting a shift in logistics from cost control to growth leverage.

Additionally, Uber Freight has launched new platform features to simplify logistics processes and enhance connectivity. The Transportation Management System (TMS) now integrates "order to cash" tracking capabilities, allowing shippers to directly manage accounts receivable and accounts payable on the portal, potentially reducing disputes by up to 20% and accelerating carrier payments.

Its exchange procurement platform expands functionality through scenario analysis, supporting shippers in constructing various bidding strategy models within minutes, comparing costs, services, and carrier combinations to reduce costs and enhance reliability, with contract award information exportable to any TMS system