Mercedes funds a charging area for electric trucks

The legendary corridor connecting Los Angeles to Las Vegas, stretching 460 km, will host its first charging area for electric trucks.

It is a symbol. Not just of creating a rest and charging area dedicated to electric trucks, but of doing so on Tesla’s turf and with its Tesla and its Semi truck. This is a display of power, a provocation as industry leaders love. The affront will be followed by a series of consequences, such as the deployment of countless other stations around the world.

By signing a joint venture with Greenlane Infrastructure, Mercedes begins the construction of the first step of an electrified corridor between Los Angeles (California) and Las Vegas (Nevada).

Greenlane, a joint venture between Daimler Truck North America LLC, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, and BlackRock (through a fund managed by its Climate Infrastructure division), aims to design, build, install, and operate a public network of electric charging and hydrogen refueling stations for medium- and large-sized commercial vehicles, whether battery electric or fuel cell powered.

A 280-mile journey connecting Los Angeles to Las Vegas

The newly established charging corridor, equipped with over 100 charging stations and cutting-edge facilities along I-15, is designed to promote the adoption of zero-emission freight transportation. Initial charging sites will be located in Colton, Barstow, and Baker in California, with plans to expand the network to other key points along the route, reaching southern Nevada and San Pedro in California, within the coming year.

“Based on various criteria, such as telematics data from trucks, most-used freight routes, and client deployment strategies, our team at Greenlane identified these three sites as the most suitable for our first commercial charging corridor. This project aims to facilitate the transition to zero-emission solutions“, explained Patrick Macdonald-King, CEO of Greenlane. “This launch not only represents a major step forward in addressing the urgent need for public and national electric charging stations for the commercial sector, but it will also set a model for future EV charging centers.“

Each Greenlane site will be designed to revolutionize the traditional rest stop experience, offering wide parking lanes for quick and easy entry and exit. During charging, drivers will have access to modern amenities, including restrooms and various services, including dining options.

Greenlane aims to develop a nationwide network of commercial charging stations across the United States, benefiting both light electric vehicles and commercial fleets, while planning future integration of hydrogen refueling stations.

The first station, located in Colton, is scheduled to open in spring 2024, with the goal of completing the network by the end of 2024. Once fully operational, the Colton site will offer more than 60 charging points, including 400 kW DC fast chargers for rapid charging of medium- and large-sized electric vehicles, as well as 200 kW chargers for overnight or extended charging suitable for heavy trucks, medium vehicles, and school buses. The next phases will introduce trailer and semi-trailer charging solutions overnight. The Colton site will also be prepared to host the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) once available on the market.