Greenlane Unveils Commercial Electric Vehicle Charging Route from Los Angeles to Las Vegas

The burgeoning demand for sustainable hydrogen refueling and reliable electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along the country's freight corridors are being met head-on by Greenlane. Introducing its pioneer commercial EV charging corridor, the initiative consists of more than 100 charge points, contemporary amenities designed to elevate driver comfort and ensure consistent uptime for freight efficiency. Greenlane symbolizes a collaborative effort between Daimler Truck North America LLC, NextEra Energy Resources, and BlackRock, through a fund managed by its Climate Infrastructure division. The corridor stretches along Interstate 15 and seeks to expedite the adoption of carbon-neutral freight transportation, beginning its operation in Colton, Barstow, and Baker, all in California. Over the following year, the corridor is set to extend into Southern Nevada, reaching all the way to San Pedro, in California.

 

Patrick Macdonald-King, the CEO of Greenlane, explained the strategic placement of the charging stations. He said, "Our team leveraged a variety of data including truck telematics, commonly used freight routes, and our clients’ deployment strategies to identify three ideal locations for our pilot commercial charging corridor." This initiative signifies a crucial stride towards meeting the pressing demand for public, nationwide EV charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles, providing a blueprint for future EV charging hubs.

 

The fully equipped Colton station is projected to host over 60 chargers, featuring 400 kW Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC) to facilitate swift charging for medium- and heavy-duty Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs). Additional 200 kW DCFC chargers will be present to allow long-duration and overnight charging for heavy-duty tractors, medium-duty ZEVs, and school buses. Furthermore, Greenlane plans to include dedicated passenger car charging spots to cater to light-duty and passenger vehicles.

 

As the project proceeds, it is set to accommodate both long-duration and overnight charging lanes for tractor-trailer combinations. The Greenlane Colton site is primed to house the future Megawatt Charging System (MCS), once commercially operational.

 

"Utilizing a predictive modeling tool, we've been able to estimate truck traffic and energy flow at the site, allowing us to adequately cater to the regional demand based on vehicle features, as well as departure and arrival times of freight transport along this corridor," elaborated Macdonald-King. "Studies have shown that strategically placing these stations about 60 to 90 miles apart would optimize uptime for drivers, allowing shorter, more frequent charge sessions and thereby ensuring the seamless movement of goods without any restrictions."

 

As a dramatic upgrade from conventional rest stops, each Greenlane station will feature spacious, pull-through lanes for easy maneuverability and a quick exit. While their vehicles charge, drivers can avail of modern facilities, such as restrooms and amenities like diverse food and beverage options.

 

Greenlane has set its sights on establishing a coast-to-coast network of commercial charging points across America. These charging hubs will not only cater to battery-electric passenger cars and light-duty fleets but are engineered to provide hydrogen refueling for commercial vehicles in the foreseeable future.

 

Greenlane plans to kick off the construction of the flagship site in Colton by spring, eyeing a grand opening in late 2024. Situated at the convergence of Interstates 10 and 215, the Colton hub will offer a variety of charging solutions for heavy, medium, and light-duty ZEV drivers.