In the ever-evolving world of sustainable transportation, Tesla and PepsiCo are leading the way with the expansion of the Tesla Semi Megacharger program. The two companies have entered into a partnership to expand the program, offering an alternative to traditional diesel freight trucking. The Megacharger is a high powered charger that Tesla has developed specifically for its semi-trucks, allowing operators to charge their vehicles quickly and reliably during long journeys. This new program will allow PepsiCo trucks to use these chargers at convenient locations along their routes, eliminating range anxiety and increasing efficiency in the process. Read on to learn more about this exciting development and what it could mean for other companies looking to join in on the push towards greener transportation solutions.
Tesla Semi Megacharger operation expands for PepsiCo
PepsiCo has been using Tesla Semi trucks to transport goods between its distribution centers since January 2020. The company has now expanded its use of the Semi, with Megacharger stations now operational at 10 of its facilities across the United States.
The move comes as part of PepsiCo’s commitment to reducing emissions from its logistics operations by 20 percent by 2030. The Tesla Semis are expected to help the company reach that goal, as they are capable of hauling up to 80,000 pounds (36,000 kilograms) of cargo and can travel up to 500 miles (800 kilometers) on a single charge.
PepsiCo has said that it plans to eventually have a fleet of 100 Tesla Semis in operation. The company is also working with Tesla on developing autonomous driving capabilities for the trucks.
How it works
Tesla Semi trucks can now charge up at PepsiCo’s facility in California. The expansion of the Tesla Semi Megacharger network is a key step in the commercialization of the electric truck.
PepsiCo’s megacharger station is located at its Distribution Center in Modesto, CA. It is one of only four such stations in North America, and can charge a Tesla Semi in as little as 30 minutes. The other three stations are located at Tesla’s factory in Fremont, CA, its Gigafactory 1 battery plant in Nevada, and at Hacienda Business Park in Cupertino, CA.
The Modesto station is equipped with eight high-power chargers, which are able to deliver a peak power of 1 MW each. This is enough to charge eight Tesla Semis simultaneously. The chargers are also capable of delivering 250 kW of continuous power to each truck.
The charging process is simple and efficient. First, the driver connects their Tesla Semi to the charger using an adapter cable. Once connected, the charger automatically starts delivering power to the battery. The driver can then monitor the charging process via the touch screen display inside the cab.
When the battery is fully charged, the charger automatically stops delivering power and disconnects from the truck. The entire process is automated and requires no input from the driver once started.
