Volvo Trucks constructing EV charging corridor

High-powered chargers will be deployed at existing Volvo Trucks’ dealership locations in Central and Northern California, adding to chargers already available at two locations in Southern California. (Photo: Volvo Trucks)

Volvo Trucks North America plans to develop a publicly accessible medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicle (MHD EV) charging network that will connect several of California’s largest metropolitan areas. Utilizing a $2 million award from the California Energy Commission (CEC) under its BESTFIT Innovative Charging Solutions program, the Electrified Charging Corridor Project will seek to “address key barriers to long-range MHD EV deployments and accelerate widespread adoption,” the company stated in its announcement.

“This project will open the door to a truly electrified freight future in which zero tailpipe emission medium- and heavy-duty trucks are no longer limited to short-mileage, return-to-base operations and can reach far and wide across the state,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America.

Along with Volvo Financial Services and Volvo Technology of America, Volvo Trucks is joining forces with Shell Recharge Solutions, TEC Equipment, Affinity Truck Center and Western Truck Center in development of the charging corridor.

“We are excited to begin construction of the Electrified Charging Corridor Project this year in collaboration with these pioneering truck dealerships so that we can further support fleets in successfully integrating battery-electric trucks into their operations, including our Volvo VNR Electric model,” Voorhoeve stated. “With the support of the CEC helping to drive and manifest this project, we will see an accelerated progression with ripple effects across the industry.”

A Volvo VNR Electric charges at the high-powered chargers available to fleets at TEC Equipment, Fontana. (Photo: Volvo Trucks)

During the next 18 months, high-powered chargers will be deployed at existing Volvo Trucks’ dealership locations in Central and Northern California, including TEC Equipment Oakland, TEC Equipment Dixon, Western Truck Center in Stockton and Affinity Truck Centers in Fresno and Bakersfield. These units will serve as an extension to chargers already available at the TEC Fontana and TEC La Mirada locations in Southern California.

Strategic positioning of publicly accessible charging stations at convenient intervals will help fleets - including small or mixed fleets - utilizing battery-electric trucks to complete zero-tailpipe emissions routes throughout the state.

“This investment for an electric truck charging corridor is critical to accelerate customer confidence in today’s commercial battery-electric offerings. Shell Recharge Solutions is excited to be a part of this innovative charging infrastructure initiative, which will alleviate range anxiety for electric truck customers traveling throughout Southern, Central and Northern California,” said Matt Androski, chief commercial officer, Shell Recharge Solutions.

The project is being aided by funding through the CEC’s BESTFIT program, which supports projects that demonstrate transformative technology solutions and work to accelerate the successful commercial deployment of EV charging for light-, medium- and heavy-duty applications.

“The Energy Commission is thrilled to support the Electrified Charging Corridor project, which will help California meet its goals for zeroing out tailpipe emissions from trucks. This project will showcase refueling solutions for long-distance, zero-tailpipe emission truck travel, and may stimulate additional investments in similar corridors throughout the state, across the country and all over the world,” said CEC Commissioner Patty Monahan.

The project will get underway in 2022, with all five stations anticipated to be online by the end of 2023.