WattEV hosted a ribbon cutting on May 6th for its newest and fourth electric truck charging station depot in Bakersfield, CA and to showcase the first in the U.S. Megawatt Charging System stations, which can dispense 1.2MW of power. MCS is slated to be the new standard for megawatt charging and is currently being put through its interoperability paces by CharIN. These charging speeds will put refueling on parity with diesel trucks and eliminate one more challenge to the electrification transition.
The ribbon cutting ceremony included speakers and certification recognitions…
- Tom Fulks (Emcee) – President of Mightycomm
- Samir Sheikh, Executive Officer, San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District
- Liane Randolph, Chair, California Air Resources Board
- Mike Delaney, Vice President of Utility Partnerships and Innovation, PG&E
- Hannon Rasool, Director of California Energy Commission’s Fuels & Transportation Division
- David Long, CEO, National Association of Electrical Contractors
- Gustavo Aguirre Jr., Kern County Director, Central California Environmental Justice Network
- John Boesel, President and CEO, CALSTART
- Salim Youssefzadeh, CEO & Co-founder, WattEV
Certificates from:
- State Senator Shannon Grove
- U.S. Congressman David Valadao
- Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains
The latest addition to WattEV’s charging network, the Bakersfield depot, stands as the largest in California and is strategically located in the heart of Southern and Central California’s bustling freight corridors. It’s the first 100% solar powered truck stop in the nation Offering seamless and eco-friendly logistics solutions, this depot is not only grid-powered but also harnesses solar energy, emphasizing sustainability in every charge. It complements Watt’s San Bernardino and Port of Long Beach locations specializing in drayage operations. WattEV broke ground on the Bakersfield location in 2021. “When you look at the whole I-5 corridor and what’s going on, this was the perfect place to start,” said Salim Youssefzadeh, CEO of WattEV.
The Bakersfield location features:
- (14) dual-chord 360 kW chargers
- (18) single-chord 240 kW chargers
- (3) single-chord MCS 1.2 MW chargers
- Public Restrooms and Driver Lounge
- On-site attendance 24/7
- Vending Machines
- 100+ Trucking Short and Long Term Parking
Like all WattEV locations, the chargers will publicly be available either via membership or scanning a credit card/QR code at the site. WattEV offers their Truck as a Service model, wherein the company offers electric trucking one price with lower startup costs, thus removing challenges to companies to electrify. The TaaS also satisfies the CARB Advanced Clean Fleet rules.
The residents of the Central Valley may be able to breathe easier one day. According the Lung Association as Bakersfield is Ranked #1 worst for annual particle pollution out of 204 metropolitan areas so this location is an important step to help with this mission to improve the air quality of the southern San Joaquin Valley.
WattEV has plans to build and open (13) more locations in California and Oregon.
