TuSimple self-driving trucks carrying UPS freight have achieved 10% fuel savings
SAN DIEGO, Calif.—March 5, 2020, TuSimple, a global autonomous-driving technology company, announced today that it has expanded service for current customer UPS (NYSE:UPS) to 20 trips per week and has added an additional route between Phoenix, Arizona, and El Paso, Texas. As part of this engagement, 10 runs per week are on the new route while the other 10 runs are on an established route between Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona.
TuSimple also announces their autonomous trucks are achieving 10% fuel savings during operation for UPS when compared to traditional operation. Last December, TuSimple announced research results from the University of California, San Diego that show its autonomous driving technology significantly reduces the fuel consumption of heavy-duty trucks by at least 10%. This partnership is a real-world example of how autonomous trucking can reduce the carbon footprint of the freight industry.
“We partnered with TuSimple to explore autonomous technology for our Global Smart Logistics Network which aims to improve network efficiencies, safety, and customer service,” said Scott Price, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, UPS. “TuSimple has been instrumental to this initiative, so it was a logical next step for us to expand the test to additional routes within our North American Freight Forwarding lanes.”
UPS Ventures made a first-of-its-kind strategic investment in autonomous ground transportation when it invested in TuSimple in August of last year after a successful on-going pilot program that started in March of 2019. The addition of a new route and an expanded number of runs is a vote of confidence for TuSimple as the company works to expand its autonomous capabilities and demonstrate the first driverless operation in 2021.
“UPS has been a valued partner of ours since we officially started working together early last year,” said Chuck Price, Chief Product Officer, TuSimple. “This deep relationship shows the company’s commitment to innovation and exemplifies why UPS is considered a trailblazer when it comes to exploring and implementing cutting-edge technology.”
TuSimple is aiming to transform the $800 billion U.S. trucking industry by improving safety, increasing efficiency, reducing operating costs and carbon emissions. The company has 18 contracted customers and makes approximately 20 autonomous trips per day. The company plans to demonstrate driverless operations in 2021.
About TuSimple
TuSimple is a global autonomous driving technology company, headquartered in San Diego and operating a fleet of self-driving trucks out of Tucson, Arizona. Founded in 2015, TuSimple is developing a commercial-ready Level 4 (SAE) fully autonomous driving solution for long-haul heavy-duty trucks. TuSimple is the only self-driving truck company capable of driving on highways and surface streets without human intervention. The company is driven by a mission to improve the safety and efficiency of the trucking industry. For more information, please visit, and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
The TuSimple media kit with photos and videos can be found HERE.
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Media Contact:
TuSimple: Stacy Morris, email, 310-415-9188