Availability of commercial EV charging infrastructure is a key consideration for many fleets testing and adopting electric trucks and other electric fleet vehicles, and this week in Southern California, a key provider of commercial vehicles, Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing has completed installation of 47 new EV chargers in seven locations suitable for heavy-duty and medium-duty EVs.
The chargers are part of the overall strategy of parent company Velocity Vehicle Group to make EVs a great option for fleets. By providing access to charging, customers can count on a reliable “refueling” option for vehicles they acquire through Velocity. In addition, Velocity has consistently been a leader in providing the expertise, training, service, incentives and vehicles themselves that help fleet customers successfully integrate EVs into their daily operations.
To celebrate the energization of the seven new charging stations, a ribbon cutting ceremony was hosted at Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing’s (VTRL) Fontana location on September 24th, in the heart of California’s Inland Empire. The event highlighted the newest addition to Velocity’s charging network, demonstrating its commitment to advancing sustainable freight solutions by offering efficient and dependable charging options for commercial medium and heavy-duty electric trucks.
The seven new high-powered charging stations located in six cities, including Fontana, Rancho Dominguez, City of Industry, Torrance, Commerce, and San Diego are part of Velocity’s broader commitment to expanding access to EVs in overburdened communities that experience significant air quality issues. The newly installed infrastructure with a power rating between 90kW to 120 kW enables trucks such as the Class 8 Freightliner eCascadia, Class 6 and 7 Freightliner eM2, and RIZON Class 4 to 5 battery-electric cabover trucks to achieve an 80% state of charge in just 90 minutes or less.
At the event, several speakers made remarks, including David Deon, president, Velocity Truck Rental & Leasing who signaled that these chargers are part of an overall strategy to make EVs simple and convenient for customers. Chanel Parson with Southern California Edison (SCE), Hannon Rasool, with California Energy Commission and other speakers noted the importance of this project to supporting the transition away from high-emissions vehicles, which benefits the community and the greater Southern California region as a whole. Erik Neandross, president, TRC Clean Transportation Solutions, was also on hand to make remarks and celebrate the milestone, noting that these projects require great partners and committed leadership. He joined the many attendees in thanking Velocity for making the investments and paving the way with the kind of leadership that is essential to decarbonize trucking.
Velocity indicated in their announcement that the location of the charging stations has been significantly influenced by regulatory drivers, such as the Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE) program, which incentivizes warehouse operators to reduce diesel emissions at their facilities through greater use of zero-emission trucks. The proliferation of warehouses in the Inland Empire has been an economic engine for the region but there is growing recognition that local communities are affected by truck exhaust, and this charging infrastructure rollout provides needed support for compliance with environmental regulations while advancing Velocity’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and sustainability goals.
