Milton attacks Tesla Semi economics
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- Trevor Milton launched a point-by-point attack on Tesla Semi’s economics via LinkedIn, claiming electric trucks face higher insurance, tire wear, and charging infrastructure costs.
- Tesla now quotes $290,000 for the 500-mile Long Range Semi, a $100,000 increase from its 2017 price promise, widening the cost gap with diesel Class 8 trucks.
- Milton claimed electricity rates for fleets could reach $0.50 per kWh in California, far above Tesla’s 2017 promise of $0.07 per kWh for Megacharger service.
- Tesla’s Megacharger network charges a $0.08 per kWh fee before electricity rates, making total charging costs significantly higher than originally projected.
- Nikola, after Milton’s ouster in 2020, delivered a few hundred Tre BEV trucks before filing for bankruptcy in February 2025 and shrinking to one employee by December 2025.
Why it matters: Tesla’s Semi pricing and charging costs are materially higher than promised, extending payback periods for fleets—concerns even a discredited figure like Milton can spotlight. While the math still favors lower energy costs per mile, real-world data will determine if Tesla can deliver on total cost of ownership.
