Image: WattEVWattEV, based in California, describes itself as a provider of electric freight transport solutions. The 370 Tesla Semi now ordered are set to join the leasing company’s fleet relatively quickly: deliveries of the first 50 vehicles will begin as early as 2026, with the entire fleet expected to be operational by the end of 2027, according to an accompanying statement. As a service provider, WattEV integrates the battery-electric truck into a ‘vertically integrated model.’ In other words, haulage companies can obtain a complete package from WattEV, including vehicles, megawatt-class charging infrastructure, and full-service leasing. According to the Californian company, this offers customers ‘a turn-key path for carriers without any capital risk.’The Tesla Semi is expected to further accelerate WattEV’s business, as the company emphasises. More than 300 of the newly ordered Tesla Semi trucks will initially be deployed as part of a joint programme with the Port of Oakland.Additionally, ‘delivery of the first 50 Semis coincides with WattEV’s planned opening of truck-charging stations at the Port of Oakland and in Fresno, both equipped with Tesla’s Megawatt Charging System (MCS) chargers.’ Further depots are set to open this year in Stockton and Sacramento.These planned locations in Northern and Central California will complement WattEV’s existing network, which already includes six depots in Southern California—specifically at the Port of Long Beach, San Bernardino, Gardena, Bakersfield, Vernon, and Oxnard. A further 15 sites are currently in development, the company states.“We selected the Tesla Semi based on cost, performance and availability after issuing a public request for proposals,” Salim Youssefzadeh, WattEV’s CEO. “This deployment is a major step toward WattEV’s national expansion into long-haul electric transportation. We intend to be the operator that builds the infrastructure, the fleet, and the logistics platform for electrified freight delivery at scale.”Youssefzadeh is convinced that battery-electric powertrains, combined with lower energy costs, will fundamentally transform the economics of long-haul transport within this decade. Against this backdrop, his company ‘is building the operational backbone for electrified long-haul transport‘ through the development of charging corridors, fleet operations, and data-driven freight consolidation and route planning.Currently, the company’s electric fleet comprises around 75 trucks, primarily operating on short- and medium-distance routes in Southern California. In early 2025, WattEV had already ordered 40 Tesla Semi trucks, with an advance guard of two units delivered at that time. WattEV does not mention this earlier order in its current statement. It is possible that the 40 battery-electric trucks are considered part of the new large-scale order, as only a double-digit number of pre-production models have been delivered to customers so far. Series production began just a few days ago.Another Californian player is also keen to capitalise on the Semi’s series production launch: e-fleet service provider Forum Mobility reported this week that two of its customers have ordered a total of 60 Tesla Semi trucks. Specifically, logistics firm Big F Transport will deploy 40 units of the battery-electric truck, while 20 more will go to Nica Container Freight Line. These electric trucks are set to be stationed and charged at Forum Mobility’s charging hubs.globenewswire.com
