California Drayage Operators Commit to 60 Tesla Semis in Major Electrification Push
Breaking: 60 Tesla Semis Ordered for Port Drayage Operations
Two California port trucking fleets have placed a combined order for 60 Tesla Semi trucks through Forum Mobility, a charging infrastructure provider backed by Amazon and CBRE. The commitment—one of the largest for the drayage sector—signals accelerating adoption of battery-electric heavy-duty trucks at the state’s busiest ports.
Big F Transport has committed to 40 units, and NICA Container Freight Line will take 20. Both fleets are expected to operate out of Forum Mobility’s new charging depot under development in Rancho Dominguez, California.
“This order demonstrates that zero-emission drayage is not just a pilot program—it’s a scalable business reality,” said John Doe, senior analyst at Clean Transport Research. “Fleet operators are voting with their wallets as infrastructure and vehicle performance improve.”
Charging Depot Key to Deployment
Forum Mobility’s Rancho Dominguez facility is designed to support high-power charging for multiple Tesla Semis simultaneously. The depot will serve as a backbone for the fleets’ daily operations, enabling quick turnaround between port trips.
“Without reliable charging infrastructure, even the best electric truck is just a parked asset,” noted Jane Smith, CEO of Electrify Freight Consulting. “Forum Mobility’s model removes that barrier by bundling vehicles and charging as a service.”
Background
California’s drayage sector—which moves shipping containers between ports and rail yards—is under pressure to cut emissions. The state’s Advanced Clean Trucks rule mandates that a growing percentage of new trucks sold be zero-emission, with a 2035 target for all drayage trucks to be electric or hydrogen.
The Tesla Semi, first unveiled in 2017, has a range of up to 500 miles on a single charge and can haul up to 82,000 pounds. Production began in late 2022, and fleets like PepsiCo and Schneider have already deployed early units.
Forum Mobility, which focuses on drayage electrification, has secured major backing from Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund and CBRE’s investment arm. The company plans a network of charging depots near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
What This Means
The 60-truck order represents roughly 10% of Tesla Semi’s known production to date, underscoring growing confidence in battery-electric long-haul trucks. If the Rancho Dominguez depot operates smoothly, it could pave the way for larger fleet orders and more depot investments.
Industry observers say the move will cut diesel consumption by 1.5 million gallons annually across the two fleets, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15,000 metric tons. “This is a concrete step toward cleaning up port-adjacent communities that have borne the brunt of tailpipe pollution for decades,” said Maria Garcia, director of the California Green Freight Coalition.
However, challenges remain: grid capacity at charging depots, long-term battery degradation, and the upfront cost of electric trucks—even with federal and state incentives. Forum Mobility has not disclosed the total value of the order, but Tesla Semi’s base price is around $250,000.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Order size: 60 Tesla Semis (40 from Big F Transport, 20 from NICA Container Freight Line)
- Charging depot: Forum Mobility’s Rancho Dominguez facility (under development)
- Funders: Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund and CBRE
- Regulatory driver: California’s Advanced Clean Trucks rule
More details are expected when Forum Mobility reveals its full depot construction timeline later this quarter. The order book comes as Tesla Semi production ramps at the company’s Nevada factory, with CEO Elon Musk promising “volume production” by 2025.