Tesla Outlines Plans for European Megacharger Network to Support Electric Semi

Tesla plans to deploy more than 100 megawatt-capable charging stalls across 21 locations in Europe to support its Semi commercial truck, according to statements made by Dan Priestley, the automaker's head of Semi development, at the IAA Transportation fair in Hanover. As first reported by The Next Web, the initial rollout will target Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and the Benelux region.

Priestley did not provide a specific launch schedule for the infrastructure deployment, though the Tesla Semi itself is scheduled to arrive in European markets in 2027. Coverage originally cited by InsideEVs noted that while the underlying Megacharger hardware is rated for power outputs of up to 1.2 megawatts, the European version of the Semi will cap its operational draw at 800 kilowatts, according to details reported by industry publication electrive.

In a shift from Tesla's historical reliance on proprietary charging designs, the upcoming heavy-duty network will utilize the industry-standard MCS 3.2 seven-pin megawatt connector. Priestley confirmed that the installations will be accessible to electric heavy commercial vehicles built by rival manufacturers. Tesla also plans to supply Semi buyers with Combined Charging System (CCS) adapters, enabling the vehicles to replenish their batteries at third-party stations. Earlier this month, Tesla installed its first prefabricated eight-stall Supercharger in Bavaria, building out foundational infrastructure ahead of the commercial truck launch.

Tesla's network strategy places it in competition with Milence, a commercial vehicle charging joint venture established by Daimler Truck, Traton, and Volvo. Milence established Europe's first operational megawatt station at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in February 2025 and currently manages 13 hubs across six European countries. Similar to Tesla's planned approach, Milence allows rival vehicle manufacturers to conduct testing on its charging hardware.

Milence's infrastructural buildout has received substantial government backing. The European Union awarded the consortium €111.5 million in funding for its "MILES" initiative, which aims to establish 284 megawatt charging points alongside 264 CCS points across 71 locations in 10 EU member states by late 2027.

These megawatt-class charging initiatives represent voluntary commercial projects rather than mandatory regulatory requirements. Current European Union regulations mandate truck charging sites every 60 kilometers along core road corridors and every 100 kilometers on broader comprehensive road networks, but those rules only require minimum outputs of 350 kilowatts, with full compliance mandated by 2030.

Despite interest from private companies and public funders, scaling megawatt charging network capacity across Europe faces structural bottlenecks. The hardware carries significant capital expense, with Megacharger bundles priced at €163,000 and 120 kW Basechargers selling for €17,000 in paired units, with customer deliveries expected by mid-next year. However, electric utility grid access remains the steepest obstacle, as lead times for securing high-capacity grid connections across Europe frequently span multiple years.