ELLABELL, Ga. — Pilot and Tesla have opened their first Tesla Megacharger site at a Pilot travel center in Ellabell, Georgia.
In a news release issued by Pilot, this opening marks the launch of a new charging network at select Pilot locations, designed to support heavy-duty electric trucks along major U.S. freight corridors.
“Pilot is proud to bring heavy-duty charging directly to key trucking routes and pair it with the services and amenities drivers rely on,” said Shannon Sturgil, senior vice president of alternative fuels at Pilot. “With these initial locations, we’re making fleet electrification a more accessible option for long-haul transportation and are excited to continue working with Tesla to move at the pace and preference of our customers.”
The six heavy-duty charging stalls are now open at Pilot #1390 in Ellabell located at 130 Interstate Exchange Way. Twelve additional heavy-duty charging locations are actively under construction, with three near completion and expected to come online soon:
- Flying J #1071, 979 E. Paige Ave., Tulare, California (opening October 9, 2026)
- Flying J #553, 2571 N Front St Fort Stockton, Texas
- Pilot #341, 3812 E. Craig Road, North Las Vegas, Nevada
The release stated that each location will feature four to eight high-power charging stalls powered by Tesla’s V4 cabinet technology. According to Tesla, each stall can deliver up to 1.2 megawatts of power, allowing a Tesla Semi to recover 60% of charge in 30 minutes.
Pilot and Tesla announced their collaboration in January 2026, with plans to develop a network of Tesla Megachargers at select Pilot locations along I-5, I-10 and other major freight corridors across California, Georgia, Indiana, Nevada and Texas.
The launch builds on Pilot’s broader efforts and investments to shape the future of energy for the transportation industry, including a coast-to-coast passenger electric vehicle charging network and lower-carbon fuel options such as renewable diesel and biodiesel.
Bruce Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has lived in three states including Arkansas, Missouri and Georgia. During his nearly 20-year career, Bruce has served as managing editor and sports editor for numerous publications. He and his wife, Dana, who is also a journalist, are based in Carrollton, Georgia.
