Keller Logistics Group, a mid-sized carrier, has completed a confidential pre-production planning session with Tesla this week to assess the Tesla Semi for its operations. The meeting represents a significant step toward potential adoption of the electric truck in regional logistics. This development highlights growing interest in sustainable trucking solutions.
Keller Logistics Group, a family-owned carrier operating over 300 tractors and 1,000 trailers in the Midwest and Southeast, finished a key planning session with Tesla's team this week. The discussions, held under a mutual non-disclosure agreement (NDA), focused on evaluating the Tesla Semi's suitability for the company's yard, shuttle, and regional applications. Keller's routes typically cover 500-600 miles per day, making it an ideal candidate for the Semi's day cab configuration in standard logistics scenarios. The session also examined economic factors, including infrastructure needs, maintenance costs, and available incentives.
CEO Bryan Keller emphasized the company's methodical approach to innovation. "For us, staying ahead isn’t a headline, it’s a habit. From electrification and yard automation to digital visibility and warehouse technology, our teams are continually pressure-testing what’s next. The Tesla Semi discussion is one more way we evaluate new tools against our standards for safety, uptime, and customer ROI. We don’t chase trends, we pressure-test what works," Keller said.
Chief Strategy Officer Benjamin Pierce reinforced this strategy. "Electrification and next-generation powertrains are part of a much broader transformation. Whether it’s proprietary yard systems like YardLink™, solar and renewable logistics solutions, or real-time vehicle intelligence, Keller’s approach stays the same, test it, prove it, and deploy it only when it strengthens service and total cost for our customers," Pierce stated.
This evaluation underscores the Tesla Semi's progress toward wider fleet integration, particularly for mid-sized operators seeking to reduce emissions and operational costs.