Heavy, Medium And Light-Duty EV Charging Hub To Open In Southern California

Sign up for CleanTechnica’s Weekly Substack for Zach and Scott’s in-depth analyses and high level summaries, sign up for our daily newsletter, and/or follow us on Google News!

---

Last Updated on: 16th April 2025, 05:11 pm

Most electric vehicle news is about the vehicles themselves, and not nearly enough is about the public EV chargers that are essential to their widespread adoption. In fact, one might say the continuous installation of new EV chargers and charging hubs is an overlooked aspect of the EV revolution.

EV chargers are critically important because when there are enough public chargers installed and available, there will be no reason for “range anxiety,” and for tens of millions of people, that’s already the case. Currently, however, some politicians and online trolls are trying to spread lies about EVs in order to make them seem impractical. None of that is stopping the expansion of electric vehicles, though. This trend is undeniable, powered in part by more and more electric vehicle chargers being added to charging networks across the country (and world).

It was just about a month ago that we reported on an online, interactive map showing there are over 16,000 EV chargers for medium- and heavy-duty trucks in California. By the end of April, over 40 more will be added at a single charging hub. Raj Jhaveri, Chief Technology Officer of Greenlane, answered some questions about it for CleanTechnica.

How many new EV chargers will be added in California, and where exactly?

Greenlane will open its flagship charging location in Colton, CA, on April 24, featuring over 40 publicly accessible chargers for heavy-, medium- and light-duty zero-emission vehicles. As part of its commitment to building a nationwide commercial EV charging network, Greenlane’s plans for the I-15 corridor include several charging sites approximately 60 to 90 miles apart, with the next sites planned for Long Beach, Barstow, and Baker, CA.

Are they all public chargers and who will use them?

Yes, they will be public, with a primary focus on medium- and heavy-duty fleets.

What is the fastest charging rate they can deliver?

Charging times vary and will depend on many factors such as the type of battery, the current charged state of the vehicle, and the charger’s power level. That being said, most vehicles will be able to charge up to 80% capacity within 45-60 minutes. 

For example, our charging technology will accommodate the high-power needs of Class 6-8 battery-electric trucks that travel more than 500 miles per day. Direct current fast charging (DCFC) is critical to minimizing downtime, with charging speeds of up to 400 kW for rapid turnarounds. We are also building with the future in mind—including support for over 1000 kW (megawatt charging) as demand for high-capacity vehicle charging grows. Our EMS also ensures intelligent, efficient use of available power across all charging sessions—not just for bobtail charging—helping balance needs across fleets while reducing grid strain. Lastly, the implementation of distributed energy resource systems (DERs), including solar arrays and battery storage, will help balance utility loads and ensure that high-power charging is available even in areas with grid limitations. These are strategies we plan to implement at our sites as well.

Greenlane’s pull-through lane chargers will feature Alpitronic CCS 400 kilowatt (kW) dual-port chargers with oil-cooled cables, ensuring faster charging while remaining lightweight and easy to handle. Bobtail charging specifically will consist of  high-speed CCS 180 kW chargers.

ABB’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) will be used for remote monitoring and breaker management, enhancing system reliability and operational efficiency. Greenlane’s sites are also engineered with Trenwa precast cable trench, allowing for smooth expansion of electric vehicle supply equipment and future upgrades to megawatt charging as fleet demand grows.

How much does each charger cost?

While EV charger costs may vary, Greenlane is building out entire charging hubs, not just individual chargers.

How long does it take to install one?

Greenlane is deploying entire charging hubs rather than individual public chargers. Our construction times will vary based on regions and normal construction schedule factors. 

For perspective, we broke ground on our Colton site in September of 2024 and are officially opening on April 24, 2025, so it will be less than a year to construct the site (a Greenlane Center™), offering more than 40 chargers, along with the amenities building. 

Think of this model like en route corridor charging. Our corridor model targets popular highway routes frequently used by trucking fleets, strategically placing charging stations approximately 60 to 90 miles apart. Utilizing existing infrastructure within those corridors, such as gas stations or truck stops, will speed up construction by allowing the addition of charging stations to existing structures versus building new sites.

Will any of the chargers run on renewable electricity?

In its next phase of development, specifically for Colton, Greenlane plans to deploy solar panels and battery storage to enhance grid stability, manage peak loads, and increase energy efficiency.

The implementation of distributed energy resource systems (DERs), including solar arrays and battery storage, will help balance utility loads and ensure that high-power charging is available even in areas with grid limitations. In the future, and where feasible, Greenlane is also open to exploring other renewable sources, such as microreactors and geothermal energy, to further diversify and strengthen our energy supply.

What is the approximate lifespan of such a charger?

The lifespan of a charger can vary, but generally, a well-maintained and high-quality EV charger can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. However, transitioning technology is increasing efficiency as time goes on. 

Electric motors are highly efficient (90% vs. 30% for internal combustion engines) and offer superior torque. Battery costs remain a challenge, however, as the parity of total cost of ownership is expected in the near future. According to a 2023 report by BloombergNEF, the average price of lithium-ion battery packs has decreased to $139/kWh, marking a 14% reduction from the previous year. This downward trend is anticipated to continue, with projections suggesting that battery prices will fall below $100/kWh as soon as 2026. Greenlane is also closely tracking the progress and adoption of emerging technologies like solid-state batteries, which could further drive down costs and improve vehicle performance in the years ahead.

Is there an approximate cost for how much the electricity will be when truck drivers use them to charge their trucks?

All chargers on-site will be accessible to the public and have a charging fee associated with them. As is the industry standard, there will be a per kWh charging rate. Fees will vary based on region and time of day.

What is Greenlane and what does it do?

At Greenlane, our mission is to design, develop, install, and operate a nationwide, high-performance, public charging network for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles.

What sets us apart is both the strength of our joint venture partners—Daimler Truck North America, NextEra Energy Resources, and BlackRock—and our strategic, data-driven approach. Rather than building one-off sites across various regions, we focus on connected corridors that support real-world freight movement. By leveraging telematics data from Daimler Truck North America and insights from partners like Uber Freight, we can identify high-traffic freight routes where charging is most needed—and where it can have the greatest impact.

Another major differentiator is our technology suite. From a user-friendly Driver App to our Fleet Portal and API integrations, Greenlane’s tech backbone is designed to make the charging experience seamless. Fleets can manage access, reservations, and reporting with ease—saving time, reducing uncertainty, and increasing efficiency. In addition, the technology is powered by an Energy Management System (EMS) that utilizes AI to analyze vehicle telemetry and charging session data, whether ad-hoc or reserved. This intelligence powers recommendation engines to help fleets charge optimally and efficiently—minimizing grid dependence. The system can even adjust reservations on the fly if a driver falls behind schedule, helping fleet managers determine the best speed and duration of a charge based on real-time route data.

And while Greenlane’s mission is infrastructure-focused, we recognize the broader value proposition that EVs bring to fleets. Lower total cost of ownership is a major driver, but so is improved driver satisfaction. Electric trucks reduce noise, vibration, and exposure to diesel exhaust—factors that can significantly improve driver experience and help reduce turnover.

What is the Volvo Open Charge Service?

Volvo’s Open Charge is a service that gives drivers access to a continuously growing network of reliable, quality-assured public charging locations suitable for electric trucks. The service provides a map that directs drivers to the charging locations, which can then be accessed through either Volvo Connect online or the Truck Charging app. Real-time information about the charger’s availability is also displayed.

Greenlane is Volvo’s first official Charge Point Operator (CPO) in the North American market. Through its seamless integration with Volvo Open Charge, Greenlane will enable real-time access to its network, providing Volvo customers frictionless access to public charging, centralized billing, and exclusive benefits.