A substantial EV charging station for freight trucks is opening near the major ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California, representing a significant but limited step in building the necessary infrastructure for a long-term transition to EV trucking and net-zero shipping.
Constructed by Sweden-based freight mobility company Einride and EV charging infrastructure company Volterra, the Lynwood Smartcharger Station along Interstate 710 features 65 chargers and can accommodate 200 vehicles daily.
Initially, the station will serve routes operated by global shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk, which is also a venture investor in Einride, a company recognized on the 2023 CNBC Disruptor 50 list.
Einride’s CEO and founder, Robert Falck, highlighted the significance of the Smartcharger station, stating, “The launch of Einride’s first Smartcharger station in the U.S. marks a momentous stride in establishing digital, electric freight as an important enabler to a more resilient U.S. freight system.”
Established in 2016, Einride operates one of the largest fleets of heavy-duty electric trucks for major companies, including Pepsi.
Volterra, specializing in the development, ownership, and operation of EV infrastructure, emphasized that the Lynwood site was permitted, built, electrified, and operational in under 18 months, a remarkable achievement in the world of charging infrastructure, according to CEO Matt Horton.
Einride plans to open several EV charging stations for freight trucking on the West and East coasts. However, California currently stands as the sole state with sizable EV freight charging stations.
In February, logistics company NFI announced a freight EV charging station capable of accommodating up to 50 trucks, including those from Volvo, in collaboration with Electrify America and Southern California Edison.
The NFI EV charging station for port drayage trucks is situated at its warehouse facility in Ontario, California, strategically located to serve the major southern California ports.
