Tesla is continuing its plan to build an electric big rig charging corridor, despite being excluded from a federal funding program. The company had sought nearly $100 million from the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant program to build nine electric semi-truck charging stations. However, Tesla was not among the 47 recipients announced by the Biden administration in January. Rohan Patel, who recently left his VP position at Tesla, stated that the company may explore state funding opportunities or future rounds of the CFI program. Despite the setback, Tesla is still pursuing its goal of electrifying heavy-duty trucking.
The proposed charging corridor, called TESSERACT, would stretch from Texas to California and connect Tesla’s North American vehicle factories. Each station was planned to have eight 750kW chargers for Tesla Semis and four chargers for other electric trucks. However, if Tesla is unable to build all nine stations, it remains uncertain how effective the corridor would be.
The Biden administration’s choices for the CFI funding were split between building EV charging infrastructure in urban and rural communities and funding corridor projects. The I-10 corridor, which is part of Tesla’s proposed route, received funding for hydrogen fueling stations. Rohan Patel criticized the funding for hydrogen infrastructure, stating that it was a waste of money.
In addition to funding challenges, Tesla’s recent restructuring and focus on autonomy could also complicate the Semi program. CEO Elon Musk has prioritized autonomy and reportedly scrapped plans for a low-cost EV in favor of a purpose-built robotaxi. The Semi program has faced delays, with only around 100 trucks built to date.
Despite these challenges, the Tesla Semi program continues to attract customers. The head of the program, Dan Priestly, recently announced a potential new customer for the trucks. In March, Priestly also revealed that Tesla has been using Semis to transport battery packs from Nevada to the Fremont factory.
Overall, while Tesla faces obstacles in funding and project execution, the company remains committed to advancing electric trucking and reducing emissions in the transportation sector. The success of the Tesla Semi program will have significant implications for the future of sustainable heavy-duty transportation.