Tesla Semi Enters New Pilot Program With Wisconsin Fleet in Chicago
PTI will test the all-electric Class 8 truck through midwestern winters known for cold temps and snow.
Paper Transport, LLC (PTI) is partnering with Tesla to put the Semi into a new pilot program focused on dedicated operations within the Chicago market.
What Happened
Tesla and PTI announced a new Pilot Program where the Wisconsin-based transportation provider will test the Semi's Long Range configuration in Chicago. The midwestern climate presents what both companies describe as an interesting challenge: cold-weather operation and potential snow accumulation. Tesla has been testing the Semi in Alaska and Northern California during colder months, but Chicago's harsh winters are expected to push the truck further. PTI CEO Tyler Ellison said the company aims to evaluate reducing transportation emissions while maintaining performance, reliability, and cost efficiency—key arguments for fleet electrification.
Why It Matters
For fleet operators considering the Semi, cold-weather performance has been a lingering question mark. The Chicago pilot will generate real-world data on how the truck handles bitter temperatures and winter road conditions that differ from Tesla's California home turf. PTI brings over 87 million miles of experience using compressed natural gas and renewable energy to the partnership, giving the test a baseline for comparing operational costs against electric propulsion.
The Bottom Line
PTI plans to deploy the Long Range configuration priced at $290,000 with an approximately 500-mile range, a three-motor powertrain, up to 800 kW of drive power, and consumption of roughly 1.7 kWh per mile. The company joins PepsiCo. and Frito-Lay as pilot partners evaluating whether the Semi fits their logistics needs.
