Tesla has offered the clearest proof yet that long-haul electric trucking is viable. On Wednesday, the automaker released a new video showing its Tesla Semi charging at a peak power of 1.2 megawatts, a milestone that finally puts real numbers behind years of bold claims about ultra-fast truck charging.
The clip, shared by the official Tesla Semi account on X, marks the first public look at the charging speeds needed to keep heavy electric trucks moving on demanding freight routes.
First real look at the Megacharger in action
For years, the company has talked about the “Megacharger” while keeping most technical details under wraps. Although early Semi trucks have been operating with customers such as PepsiCo, verified charging data has been limited.
It previously said the Semi could recover 70 percent of its range in 30 minutes. For a truck rated at up to 500 miles of range, and believed to carry an 800 to 900-kilowatt-hour battery pack, that promise required charging power far beyond what passenger EVs can handle.
The newly released video finally shows how the manufacturer plans to do it. Engineers are seen overseeing a live charging session as power steadily rises and peaks at 1.2 MW (1,206 kilowatts). This is nearly five times higher than today’s fastest car chargers in North America.
— Tesla Semi (@tesla_semi) December 31, 2025
How Tesla reaches 1.2 megawatts
The charging performance lines up with Tesla’s V4 Cabinet architecture, announced earlier this year. These cabinets are designed to work with vehicle systems ranging from 400 to 1,000 volts.
For passenger vehicles such as the Cybertruck, the system can deliver up to 500 kW. For the Semi, it can scale all the way to 1.2 MW. This makes it one of the most powerful EV charging setups ever shown in real-world conditions.
The video also highlights advanced thermal management. The liquid-cooled charging cable and the immersion-cooled connector appear to handle the extreme current without visible issues. This hardware is part of the Megawatt Charging System or a high-power proprietary Tesla solution, though Tesla has been leaning toward MCS compatibility.
What the video does not reveal
While the peak number is impressive, some important details remain unclear. Tesla does not show the truck’s state of charge during the session. That means it is unknown at what battery percentage the Semi can reach or sustain 1.2 MW.
Peak power alone does not define charging performance. The real test is how long that power can be held before heat forces the system to slow down. Without the full charging curve, it is hard to judge how quickly the Semi can recharge under everyday conditions.
Still, the numbers offer useful clues. At 1.2 MW, the charger adds about 20 kilowatt-hours of energy per minute. Based on the firm’s claimed efficiency of 1.7 kWh per mile, and an estimated 850 kWh battery, a 10 to 80 percent charge could take under 45 minutes if power tapering is limited.
Production plans are moving forward
The charging reveal comes as the company prepares to scale up Semi production. The company is expanding its facility near Gigafactory Nevada to support higher volumes.
Tesla aims to begin production in the first half of 2026, followed by a ramp to full volume in the second half of the year. If the charging performance shown in the video translates to daily operations, the Semi could remove one of the biggest barriers facing electric long-haul trucking.
