Pilot, Tesla Plan High-Power Charging Network for Semi Trucks Across Key U.S. Freight Corridors

The new charging hubs will be built along major freight routes including Interstate 5 and Interstate 10.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:39pm

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Pilot Travel Centers has reached an agreement with Tesla to install high-power charging stations dedicated to the Tesla Semi at selected truck stop locations across the United States. The first charging hubs will be built along major freight routes including Interstate 5 and Interstate 10, with additional sites planned on other key transport corridors. Each site will feature between four and eight chargers using Tesla's V4 technology, capable of delivering up to 1.2 megawatts per charging point.

Why it matters

This partnership marks a significant step in the build-out of charging infrastructure for electric heavy-duty vehicles, which is crucial for the widespread adoption of zero-emission semi trucks. The new charging network will support the long-haul range and rapid charging needs of the Tesla Semi, helping to shape the future of sustainable freight transportation.

The details

Under the initial agreement, access to the new charging network will be limited to Tesla vehicles, though the partners may open the network to other manufacturers in the future. Pilot operates roughly 900 locations across 44 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces, serving about 1.2 million customers daily. The company is also collaborating with Volvo Group to develop a brand-agnostic charging network for electric heavy goods vehicles.

  • Construction is set to begin in the first half of 2026.
  • The first stations are expected to become operational in the summer of 2026.

The players

Pilot Travel Centers

A company that operates roughly 900 travel center locations across the United States and Canada, serving about 1.2 million customers daily. Pilot is wholly owned by Berkshire Hathaway.

Tesla

An American electric vehicle and clean energy company that is preparing to bring its long-delayed Semi electric truck into series production, with an eventual annual capacity of up to 50,000 units.

Shannon Sturgil

The senior vice president of alternative fuels at Pilot Travel Centers.

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What they’re saying

“Helping to shape the future of energy is a strategic pillar in meeting the needs of our guests and the North American transportation industry. Heavy-duty charging is yet another extension of our exploration into alternative fuel offerings.”

— Shannon Sturgil, Senior Vice President of Alternative Fuels, Pilot Travel Centers (evmagz.com)

What’s next

The first charging hubs will be built along major freight routes including Interstate 5 and Interstate 10, with additional sites planned on other key transport corridors. Construction is set to begin in the first half of 2026, and the first stations are expected to become operational in the summer of 2026.

The takeaway

This partnership between Pilot Travel Centers and Tesla represents a significant step forward in the development of charging infrastructure for electric heavy-duty vehicles, which is crucial for the widespread adoption of zero-emission semi trucks and the future of sustainable freight transportation.