The shift is timely — it’s happening as diesel costs remain volatile and putting pressure on businesses that rely on predictable fuel expenses.

For trucking companies, the biggest appeal of electric vehicles isn’t environmental, it’s financial.

Electric trucks can offer lower fuel costs per mile than diesel vehicles, since electricity is often cheaper than traditional fuels, according (10) to the U.S. Department of Energy. They may also require less maintenance because they have fewer moving parts.

But that still might not offset the sticker price, so adoption hasn’t been quick.

Electric semis like Tesla’s are significantly more expensive than traditional diesel trucks, about twice as much, The New York Times reports (11). Electrek says (12) Tesla has quoted $260,000 for the 325-mile model, and $290,000 for the 500-mile model.

Even as interest grows, the transition away from diesel faces major logistical challenges.

The New York Times notes (13) that fast-charging infrastructure for heavy-duty trucks is still limited, particularly for long-haul routes that require quick, reliable charging across large distances. It’s not typically feasible for long-haul drivers to spend hours recharging, so standard chargers aren’t always practical.

But building that fast-charge network will take time and significant investment from both private companies and governments.

Without it, electric trucks may remain concentrated in specific regions or use cases, rather than replacing diesel across the board.

Not yet. But for the first time, its dominance is being seriously challenged.

While Leno’s test drive underscores how far electric trucking has come, the broader industry is still in transition. Cost, infrastructure and scale will ultimately determine how quickly the shift happens.

Diesel trucks continue to dominate long-haul freight, thanks to their range, refueling speed and established infrastructure.

Plus, electric trucks can weigh 2,000 pounds more than diesel trucks, thanks to heavy batteries potentially adding too much strain on the roads, according to (14) The New York Times.

But the momentum is shifting.

Battery improvements, like the Tesla Semi’s long lifespan (15), combined with rising (16) fuel costs and regulatory pressure (17), are making electric options increasingly competitive.

For consumers, the impact may not be immediate, but it could show up in the price of goods over time. Shipping costs are a major factor in retail pricing, and changes in fuel and transportation technology can ripple through the economy.

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The New York Times (1),(6),(11),(13),(14); The Wall Street Journal (2),(16); WEX Inc. (3),(5); YouTube (4) ; Autoblog (9),(15); U.S. Department of Energy (7),(10); Mordor Intelligence (8); Electrek (12); Business Wire (17)

This article originally appeared on Moneywise.com under the title: Jay Leno took the Tesla Semi for a spin. Its 1-million-mile battery could spell trouble for diesel

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