WattEV has announced an agreement to purchase 40 Tesla Semi trucks in 2026, with the first two units already being deployed this year.
WattEV, a leader in heavy-duty freight electrification, operates a network of charging depots across California. In 2024, the company reported reaching a milestone of 2 million electric heavy-duty freight miles, proving the viability of battery-electric trucks for demanding commercial applications.
“Tesla Semi is the only truck in the market that can deliver 500 miles on a single charge, with superb energy efficiency and fast charging,” said Salim Youssefzadeh, CEO of WattEV.
The Tesla Semi’s range and fast-charging capabilities make it a great fit for WattEV’s high-mileage duty cycle, with some routes reaching up to 550 miles per day. The company is also working to install Megachargers at its facilities in 2026, which will enable even faster turnaround times for electric freight haulers.
“We’ve been future-proofing all our charging depots to allow for the transition from CCS charging to megawatt charging with MCS. Our collaboration with Tesla is another major milestone as we expand our network to electrify freight on more routes throughout California and beyond,” said Youssefzadeh.
Tesla first unveiled the Semi in 2017 with its promised range of 500 miles (804 km) on a single charge. After years of delays, Tesla officially began deliveries in December 2022, with early customers including PepsiCo. The initial batch of Semis has undergone rigorous trials, demonstrating their ability to meet those initial range expectations from 2017 with an efficiency of 1.72kWh/mile.
Tesla is ramping up production of the Semi at a new dedicated factory adjacent to Giga Nevada. This facility will allow Tesla to scale production to 50,000 units per year, ensuring faster deployment of electric heavy-duty trucks. The factory is expected to be completed later this year, with the first deliveries of trucks from the factory starting in 2026.
