Pilot, the nation's largest operator of travel centers, has announced a partnership with Tesla to install Semi chargers at select locations along major highway corridors. The first sites are expected to open in Summer 2026.
The Tesla charging stations will be built at Pilot locations along I-5, I-10, and other major corridors where the need for heavy-duty charging is highest. 2 million guests per day.
The Pilot partnership is the latest step in Tesla's push to build out charging infrastructure for its electric semi truck. 2 MW, demonstrating the charging speeds needed to make long-haul electric trucking practical.
Pilot isn't new to EV charging partnerships, having worked with Volvo Group on heavy-duty EV charging since 2022, and its partnership with GM and EVgo has already deployed over 200 passenger EV charging sites across 40 states. This significant development for the Tesla Semi program is exactly where heavy-duty EV charging needs to be, making it easier to partner with third parties like Pilot.
The I-5 and I-10 corridors make a lot of sense for initial deployment, connecting major ports and distribution centers from San Diego to Seattle and California to Texas. If Tesla can get this network operational by Summer 2026 as planned, it would be a meaningful step toward making the Semi viable for a broader range of customers beyond the handful of fleets currently using it, which are mostly for local distribution rather than long-haul trucking.
With Pilot's massive network and Tesla's charging technology, the future of electric semi-trucking looks brighter than ever.
This partnership is a significant step forward for Tesla's Semi program, providing access to a vast network of truck stops along major freight corridors. With Pilot's expertise in heavy-duty EV charging, Tesla can now focus on expanding its charging infrastructure to support the growing demand for electric semi-trucks.
