Pilot partners with Tesla to build heavy-duty electric truck charging network

US travel centre operator Pilot Travel Centers has entered into an agreement with Tesla to install high-power charging infrastructure for heavy-duty electric trucks, targeting key freight corridors across the United States.

The partnership will see Tesla Semi Chargers installed at selected Pilot locations along Interstate 5 and Interstate 10, as well as other major transport routes where demand for heavy-duty electric vehicle charging is expected to be highest. The first sites are scheduled to open in mid-2026.

Construction of the charging sites is set to begin in the first half of 2026, with initial locations planned across California, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas.

Pilot says the charging hubs will support fleet electrification by providing four to eight charging stalls per site, using Tesla’s V4 cabinet charging technology. Each stall is expected to deliver up to 1.2 megawatts of power.

“Helping to shape the future of energy is a strategic pillar in meeting the needs of our guests and the North American transportation industry,” Pilot senior vice president of alternative fuels Shannon Sturgil says.

“Heavy-duty charging is yet another extension of our exploration into alternative fuel offerings, and we’re happy to partner with a leader in the space that provides turnkey solutions and deploys them quickly.”

The network will initially be designed to support Tesla’s Semi trucks, though Pilot says it may be expanded in the future to accommodate heavy-duty electric vehicles from other manufacturers.

Tesla has previously said most of the Semi truck’s 500-mile (800km) operating range can be recovered in around 30 minutes of charging, aligning with mandated rest breaks for professional drivers.

Pilot says demand for alternative fuels continues to grow across North America, with the company expanding its offerings to include electrification, hydrogen, renewable diesel and higher-blend biodiesel to meet the needs of fleet and commercial customers.

Pilot operates more than 900 travel centres across 44 US states and five Canadian provinces and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.