ROL Series

2023: Run on Less — Electric DEPOT

2021: Run on Less — Electric

2019: Run on Less Regional

2017: Run on Less

Saia Logo
Diesel

Participant Profile: Saia

Saia is a less-than-truckload trucking company that originated in Houma, Louisiana, in 1924. Its core business is LTL, non-asset truckload service and third-party logistics. In December 2024, Saia LTL Freight partnered with Tesla to introduce two of the company’s first Tesla Semi trucks to its fleet. Saia has 7000 tractors and 30,000 trailers operating in various duty cycles from pickup and delivery to regional and over-the-road routes.

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Matthew Copot
VP Fleet Management, Saia
“The company has proven its dedication to continuously improve, and the alternative technologies have been part of that. We want to experiment with new technologies and continuously evaluate them and provide feedback to the OEMs.”
Michael Davis's image
Michael Davis
Driver, Saia
“You can go charge that truck and get 70% charge in 30 minutes. While you’re taking your lunch, you can put it on the charger again and in 30 minutes have enough to finish your route.”
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Ryan Madura
Senior Project Manager, Saia
“We’re trying to run this Tesla tractor as hard as we can because, like everybody, we want to learn what it can do and what it can’t do. The best way to get ROI on these things is to run it as much as possible.”
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Dan Priestly
Senior Manager, Semi Truck Engineering, Tesla
“There’s a number of learnings, both on the driver’s side and on the fleet side, in order to ensure that the product fits neatly into the operation. It’s about matching the capability of the asset against what a company’s operation requires.”
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Nocona Sanders
Senior Associate, Carbon-Free Transportation, RMI
“Battery technology is going to continue to increase, but I think that even alongside battery improvements, there’s been a lot of improvements in how fleets are utilizing those trucks.”
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Ben Sharpe
Senior Policy Analyst, Atlas Policy
“The messy middle is a very appropriate name. It’s a very dynamic time and the opportunities to learn are endless. We expect the technology to improve and cost to come down so they become more economically advantageous.”
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Tom Sterba
Driver, Saia
“From my perspective as a driver, I understand this is the wave of the future. There’s a lot of savings that goes into having one of these. No fuel? No oil? There’s a lot of savings.”
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Dave Tanel
Strategic Fleet EV Programs & Partnership Manager, Geotab
“Data is imperative in terms of measuring the cost efficiencies, making sure that the vehicles are properly maintained, and making sure that those vehicles are ready for their route so they can do the job for the fleet.”
Driver

Tom Sterba

"Charging infrastructure has got to come out. You can't take these in every corner and fill up. We can't take these down the street and charge up."

  • Years Driving: 37
  • Homebase: Stockton, CA
Tom Sterba
Driver

Michael Davis

"They asked, 'Hey, who wants to drive this Semi?' I was a senior driver, and I said, 'Yeah, I will drive it, I want to drive it. I want to drive something new.'”

  • Years Driving: 40
  • Homebase: Stockton, CA
Michael Davis
  • Tractor Tesla Semi
  • Cab Type Day cab
  • Engine and fuel type Battery Electric
  • Powertrain 3 independent electric motors
  • Advertised Range 500 miles
  • Axle Ratio 3.70
  • Configuration 6×4
  • Aero Devices High roof fairing, Aerodynamic cab-mounted mirrors, Aero skirts
  • Route Type Regional and urban
  • Elevation Change Flat Modesto region and Donner Pass – 7,056 feet
  • Goods Hauled General freight
  • Hours of Operation 24/5
  • Trailers – Singles, Doubles, Triples Singles, usually 28’ and 48’
  • Single Shift, Slip seating or Teams Slip seating, two-shift operation
  • Depot or Public Charging Uses nearby Tesla charging facility
  • Parking Configuration Bobtail or married accessibility
  • Utility Pacific Gas & Electric
  • Type of Charging Hardware Tesla Semi chargers
  • Quantity of Charging Hardware Four 750 kW Semi chargers
  • Typical Charge Speed Up to 750 kW

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