WattEV, a leading developer of electric truck charging infrastructure and electric freight transport solutions, has inaugurated its fourth electric truck charging depot in Bakersfield, California.
Situated on a sprawling 119-acre site, the WattEV Bakersfield depot is strategically positioned to connect the San Joaquin Valley’s extensive agricultural sector and burgeoning warehousing complexes to California’s seaports and inland destinations. This pioneering facility marks the world’s first electric truck stop featuring a solar-powered microgrid with a battery energy storage system (BESS), boasting megawatt rapid charging (MCS) capabilities.
The cutting-edge station features a total of 16 dual-cord 360kW chargers, along with 15 single-cord 240kW CCS chargers and three MCS 1,200kW rapid chargers, drawing power from the site’s solar array. WattEV CEO Salim Youssefzadeh emphasized the significance of reducing truck charging “dwell time” to less than 30 minutes, heralding it as a game-changer in electric truck adoption.
With its distinctive black, green, and white branding, the depot is strategically located near the intersection of highways CA-99 and CA-65, serving heavy-duty electric trucks traversing routes between the San Joaquin Valley’s agricultural heartland, distribution warehouses, and California’s seaports.
In line with its mission to accelerate the transition to zero-emission transport solutions, WattEV has rapidly expanded its network, with the Bakersfield depot marking its third new electric truck charging facility in California within the past month. Other operational locations include San Bernardino and Gardena, with all future depots set to incorporate MCS charging technology.
WattEV’s commitment to environmental sustainability is further underscored by its ongoing efforts to electrify freight corridors across the nation, with large-scale solar-powered charging depots in various stages of development in California, Oregon, and Washington.
The inauguration of the Bakersfield depot signals a significant milestone in the electrification of California’s freight corridors, with WattEV poised to expand its network with additional depots planned in Fresno, Stockton, and Oakland.
To facilitate the transition to zero-emission truck transport, WattEV offers an innovative Truck-as-a-Service (TaaS) model, providing fleets and individual operators with access to Class 8 battery-electric trucks, maintenance support, insurance, and charging services across its network.
WattEV’s efforts have been bolstered by grant funding from the California Energy Commission, with additional support from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to enhance capacity and further reduce emissions.
Commenting on the initiative, Samir Sheikh, Executive Director of the Valley Air District, hailed WattEV’s leadership in advancing zero-emission freight infrastructure in the San Joaquin Valley, emphasizing its role in improving air quality and supporting the region’s economy.
Liane Randolph, Chair of the California Air Resources Board, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the clean air benefits of WattEV’s charging depot and its contribution to a zero-emissions future for California’s freight industry.
