Tesla Launches Basecharger for Electric Semis, Starting at $20,000

Tesla has launched a new charging station called the Basecharger, designed specifically for electric heavy-duty trucks. It starts at $20,000 (approximately RMB 137,000), with business customers required to order a minimum of two units; installation costs are not included in the price. The unit delivers a maximum output power of 125 kW and can charge a Tesla Semi to 60% of its range in about four hours. The Basecharger resembles the fourth-generation Supercharger in appearance but features a different internal structure. Unlike standalone chargers, it does not include a separate power cabinet. Instead, it integrates one module from the V4 Supercharger’s power electronics cabinet, simplifying its design and reducing costs. Up to three Basechargers can share a single circuit breaker with a combined maximum capacity of 125 kVA. It supports an output voltage range of 180 to 1,000 volts, a continuous current of up to 150 amps, and comes with a 6-meter charging cable—twice as long as that of standard Superchargers. Currently, it only supports the MCS connector and is incompatible with CCS-compatible electric trucks. The Basecharger is Tesla’s second charging solution tailored for electric heavy-duty trucks. The first, the Megacharger, offers a power output of 1.2 MW and can charge the Semi to 60% in approximately 30 minutes; deployment of Megachargers has already begun. The Basecharger is expected to start deliveries in early 2027, aiming to support increased Semi production and expand Tesla’s electric truck charging network.