Chehalis council approves 10-year lease with Tesla for semi‑truck charging site

The Chehalis City Council voted to approve a 10‑year lease with Tesla Inc. for a semi‑truck charging station at a city property along the I‑5 corridor.

City staff (speaker 13) told the council Tesla approached the city months earlier and said the company is “motivated to begin construction over this next year.” Staff described the site as approximately 0.6 acres, located between Home Depot and Walmart behind Panda Express, and said Tesla will pay to prepare the site. “Their chargers, obviously, they would take, but all of the utilities, everything else would remain on the site,” staff said.

Under the terms reported to the council, base rent is $12.50 per month plus applicable leasehold taxes. The agreement includes a 10‑year initial term with renewal options and periodic rent adjustments; staff characterized the rent structure and a 20‑year appraisal clause as consistent with prior city agreements.

Council members asked about site size, visibility and the lease escalation schedule. One council member said the site’s low rent is appropriate given its tucked‑away location and private investment. Another asked whether the city would be left with improvements if Tesla vacated; staff replied that chargers would be removed but utilities and site upgrades would remain as city property.

Councilor (speaker 4) moved approval; speaker 2 seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

The agreement positions Chehalis as a regional freight and logistics support location and aims to expand heavy‑duty electric vehicle charging along a major truck route. Construction timing and final site plans were not specified at the meeting.

The city manager was authorized to execute the lease in the form presented to council.