Frito-Lay expanding Tesla Semi Megacharger site at California factory

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Updated Apr 24, 2025
Frito-Lay has requested to build additional Semi Megachargers at its Bakersfield, California facility following months of real-world testing.
Frito-Lay has requested to build additional Semi Megachargers at its Bakersfield, California facility following months of real-world testing.
Frito-Lay

PepsiCo's Frito-Lay subsidiary, both among the first to add the Tesla Semi to their fleets, recently filed a request to build eight more Semi Megachargers at its Bakersfield, California facility.

This information was revealed in a recent filing that was shared on X by user MarcoRP, the same individual who uncovered the blueprint and location of Tesla's also upcoming first public Semi Megacharger in Los Angeles.

[Related: First Tesla Semi Megacharger station site revealed]

Per this latest filing (shown below), the specific site is the Frito-Lay production plant on Hageman Road in Bakersfield - only 5 miles away from Tesla's "future charging complex on Kelton Way," which will reportedly include 72 Supercharger stalls and 18 Semi charging stalls. 

The latter site will supposedly be open to both the public and fleet partners.  

The term "Megacharger" is what Tesla calls its Semi charging stations. As the name indicates, these sites will have megawatt charging, an ultra-powerful charging system designed specifically for heavy-duty, Class 8 battery-electric rigs that use a direct current. A 1,000-mile range on a single charge is reportedly possible in a matter of minutes. 

The currently under construction Semi plant in Nevada is slated to be completed later this year, though a recent report claims yet another Semi production delay. Tesla claims an eventual goal of 50,000 units annually. 

To date, an estimated 70 examples have rolled off the production line. However, most of those went to PepsiCo. The beverage and food giant has been conducting pilot runs with an estimated 15 Semis in the Modesto, California area and another 21 in Sacramento. 

Back in late 2023, one of the Sacramento-based Semis participated in the North American Council for Freight Efficiency's Run On Less program where it successfully completed a 1,000-mile run in one day.

Expect more Tesla Semi details to be revealed later this month at the 2025 ACT Expo in Anaheim, California where Semi program manager Dan Priestly is scheduled to speak. 

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[Related: Pepsi spills the beans on Tesla Semi's real-world hauling performance]

Any charging site that accommodates the Semi must have the Megacharger (MCS) plug, which is different from the North American Charging Standard (NACS). 

Tesla stopped taking Semi reservations in August 2022. Pricing was initially set at $150,000 and $180,000 for the 300- and 500-mile versions, respectively, though it's likely both figures will increase once series production gets underway.

Jay Traugott has covered the automotive and transportation sector for over a decade and now serves as Senior Editor for Clean Trucking. He holds a drifting license and has driven on some of the world's best race tracks, including the Nurburgring and Spa. He lives near Boulder, Colorado and spends his free time snowboarding, climbing, and hiking. He can be reached at [email protected].

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The following survey was sent as a link in an email cover message in February 2023 to the newsletter lists for Overdrive and CCJ. After approximately two weeks, a total of 176 owner-operators under their own authority, 113 owner-operators leased or assigned to a carrier and 82 fleet executives and 36 fleet employees from fleets with 10 or more power units had completed and submitted the questionnaire for a total of 407 qualified responses. Cross-tabulations based on respondent type are provided for each question when applicable.
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