NEW YORK – Reuters reported last week that Tesla is collaborating with Anheuser-Busch, PepsiCo and United Parcel Service to build on-site charging terminals at their facilities as part of the automaker’s efforts to roll out its electric semi truck in 2019.

The news source notes that news of the collaboration “is a sign that corporate customers are taking the effort seriously, and that Tesla is working to solve one of the biggest impediments: keeping the big-rigs powered.”

Reuters says that the companies it spoke with said the first step is to install the charging network, and the that semis would operate on limited routes to get them to and from the facility on a single charge.

PepsiCo has reserved 100 Tesla semis and told the news source that it may explore sharing facilities and costs with other companies. “We have a lot of in-house capability around energy and engineering ... and certainly Tesla brings their expertise to the table on energy and charging,” said Mike O‘Connell, senior director of supply chain for PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay snack unit.

Reuters says that Tesla is also moving forward with plans to sell electricity to truckers who pull up for a charge at its own supercharger sites. The automaker already operates more than 1,100 such stations globally for drivers of its passenger cars. Elon Musk has spoken publicly about a similar venture for the semis by installing a network of solar-powered megachargers that could recharge a semi battery in 30 minutes.

James Sembrot, senior director of supply chain at Anheuser-Busch, told the news source that the company is evaluating installing its own charging equipment for its 40 Tesla Semis at large breweries and other key locations. “What was important to us was to make a big investment in this cutting-edge technology and secure our place in line,” he said.