On May 6, news broke regarding the largest order to date for the 2026 Tesla Semi electric Class 8 trucks. In terms of scale, this order significantly surpasses all previous purchases of similar vehicles and, in essence, sets a new benchmark for the heavy-duty Class 8 segment in California.

   The announcement was made by WattEV, an American company recognized as a prominent operator in the electric freight sector that is simultaneously developing charging infrastructure. Over the coming years, the company plans to deploy a fleet of 370 Semi trucks across the state. The total value of the deal is estimated at approximately $100 million, and local experts are already hailing it as the single largest purchase of electric trucks in California history. This move serves as a clear indication of the accelerating transition of long-haul logistics toward a zero-emission model.

    The delivery schedule is staggered over a two-year period. WattEV expects to receive the first 50 vehicles in 2026, with the company aiming to have the entire fleet fully operational by the end of 2027.  Notably, more than 300 of these units have been earmarked for a specific joint project with the Port of Oakland; this initiative focuses on the complete electrification of short-haul port operations and regional freight routes—a goal that aligns perfectly with California’s broader objective of achieving carbon-neutral freight logistics.

 Speaking at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, WattEV CEO Salim Youssef Zadeh emphasized that the selection was made following an open tender process. According to Youssef Zadeh, the decisive factors were the total cost of ownership, vehicle performance specifications, and the manufacturer's proven ability to fulfill delivery commitments. He also pointed out that the Semi is already in full-scale production and has been receiving high marks from fleet operators across the United States. Furthermore, Youssef Zadeh highlighted WattEV’s vertically integrated business model, which combines vehicle deployment, megawatt-scale charging infrastructure, and full-service leasing—thereby offering carriers a turnkey solution that allows them to avoid the financial risks associated with making substantial capital investments.       A key element of the program will be the new MCS charging hubs. These facilities will be constructed in Oakland, Fresno, Stockton, and Sacramento. These stations are capable of providing approximately 300 miles (or roughly 482.8 km) of range in about 30 minutes—an energy replenishment rate comparable to refueling a diesel semi-truck. Construction has already begun in Oakland; this specific site is slated to serve as the central hub for the Northern and Central California corridor, connecting the port with inland logistics centers and more distant destinations.

  The project draws upon practical experience: in Southern California, WattEV has already logged millions of miles using electric trucks and previously deployed the first Tesla Semi units at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. The company is confident that combining efficient semi-trucks with strategically positioned fast-charging stations will demonstrate that fully electric long-haul trucks can not only match their diesel counterparts in terms of operating economics but actually surpass them, while simultaneously achieving a significant reduction in carbon emissions. Against the backdrop of this order, Tesla, for its part, is accelerating the ramp-up of Tesla Semi production capacity at its Nevada factory, with the aim of entering large-scale serial production as early as 2026.