Tesla’s Semi has received two votes of confidence this week, one coming from a major logistics company and the other from growing trucking customer.

California-based King Fio Trucking has placed an order for 20 Tesla Semis, while Covenant Logistics revealed the results of a two-week testing program that included one of the most demanding freight routes in the United States.

King Fio Adds 20 Tesla Semis

King Fio Trucking, a family-owned customs bonded drayage carrier headquartered in Long Beach, California, announced an order for 20 Tesla Semis as part of its transition toward zero-emission transportation.

The company services the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, along with regional rail yards and warehouses. Despite operating a relatively modest fleet of about 30 trucks across three locations, King Fio has been steadily investing in cleaner transportation solutions.

Owner Jennie Abarca said the decision was about more than simply adding new equipment to the fleet.

“I am proud to help inspire and encourage the trucking industry’s transformation. Ordering 20 Tesla Semis is not just a business decision—it’s a commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and innovation.”

Abarca pointed to both operating costs and vehicle capabilities as key reasons behind the purchase.

“These electric trucks offer significant cost savings and longer travel ranges, which are game changers for our operations. I believe embracing this technology will not only reduce our environmental footprint but also set a new standard for trucking in California and beyond. The future of trucking is electric, and we’re excited to lead the charge.”

King Fio isn’t the only customer to place an order for the Tesla Semi recently. Last month WattEV committed to purchasing 370 trucks, while F Transport added another 40 units to Tesla’s order sheets.

Covenant Logistics Puts the Semi to the Test

While King Fio was placing an order, Covenant Logistics was putting the Tesla Semi through a rigorous real-world evaluation.

According to Matt McLelland, Covenant’s Vice President of Sustainability and Innovation, the company spent two weeks testing the Semi with one of its larger California customers. One of the final tests involved hauling a loaded trailer across the infamous Tejon Pass on Interstate 5, better known to truck drivers as “The Grapevine.”

The route is considered one of California’s toughest trucking corridors, featuring long climbs, steep descents, and significant elevation changes.

In a post on LinkedIn, McLelland said the Tesla Semi exceeded expectations during the evaluation.

“We were amazed at the performance of the Tesla Semi and felt a level of confidence that was hard to match in a diesel truck.”

He also highlighted the truck’s ability to handle both uphill and downhill sections of the route, noting that regenerative braking helped eliminate many of the concerns typically associated with brake heat management on steep descents.

Momentum Building for Tesla Semi

Although Tesla has only just begun full-scale Semi production, the latest order from King Fio and positive feedback from Covenant Logistics show the potential of the class 8 electric truck among commercial operators.

As fleets look for ways to reduce operating costs and meet increasingly strict emissions requirements, real-world testing results on challenging routes like The Grapevine could play an important role in accelerating Tesla Semi adoption across the trucking industry.