Daimler and BlackRock-backed Greenlane recently unveiled plans to develop a 280-mile-long “EV corridor” for commercial trucks stretching from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.
Greenlane officially announced its initiative for a new commercial charging corridor along I-15 today, scheduled to begin with charging locations in Colton, California. Additional stops in Barstow and Baker will follow shortly, with the corridor expanding to Southern Nevada and San Pedro, California in the subsequent year.
CEO Patrick Macdonald-King of Greenlane explained that the decision to start in Colton was based on various factors such as truck telematics data, frequent freight routes, and customer deployment strategy in order to hasten the transition to zero emissions.
Upon completion, the Colton, CA site is expected to offer over 60 chargers, including 400 kW Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC) to reduce the downtime of medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks. Additional 200 kW DCFC charging options will allow for slightly longer stops, with overnight and “hotel” charging available for heavy-duty semi tractors. Greenlane also plans to incorporate multiple passenger charging ports to support light-duty trucks and passenger cars.
The initiative aims to enhance the current rest stop experience, with wide pull-through lanes at each Greenlane site, quick entry and exit for drivers, and modern facilities such as restrooms, food, and beverage options while vehicles charge.
Designed to upgrade and enhance the current rest stop experience, each Greenlane site will have wide pull-through lanes, allowing drivers to enter and exit the property quickly and easily. While waiting for vehicles to charge, drivers can access modern facilities, with restrooms and other amenities, including food and beverage options.
Greenlane’s focus is not just on competing with traditional highway rest stops but on providing safe, reliable charging facilities along American highways. Macdonald-King emphasized that the corridor launch is a crucial step in addressing the urgent need for publicly available nationwide electric charging for commercial vehicles, setting an example for future EV charging hubs.
The company plans to break ground on its flagship Colton site at the intersection of I-10 and I-215 in the spring, with a grand opening slated for late 2024. Greenlane envisions a nationwide network of commercial charging infrastructure locations across the US in the future.
Electrek’s Take
Daimler Trucks North America, under Greenlane, is following in Tesla’s footsteps by ensuring charging facilities for buyers of its electric truck models. This strategic move sets them apart from other OEMs like Ford and GM, who missed the opportunity to provide charging infrastructure and consequently lost out to Tesla. Daimler seems determined not to repeat the same mistake in the big truck sector.
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