California Pushes The Electric Truck Envelope, Again

California continues to lead in advancing electric vehicle (EV) adoption despite federal government resistance, with Governor Gavin Newsom championing zero-emission transportation. A key challenge in electrifying medium- and heavy-duty trucks lies in the need for larger batteries and longer charging times, complicating fleet operations. While some fleets manage charging at private depots, public charging infrastructure remains insufficient. The California Energy Commission has launched an online dashboard to locate public electric truck chargers, but a recent MIT Climate & Sustainability Consortium white paper highlights a significant gap in public charging availability. The paper advocates for collaborative efforts among fleets, infrastructure providers, and other stakeholders to develop shared charging networks, reducing costs and easing coordination burdens. In response, companies like Prologis and EV Realty have partnered to accelerate the deployment of high-power electric truck charging hubs near key freight corridors in California. Their shared access model aims to provide scalable, consistent charging solutions for fleet operators, with the first hubs expected to be operational by the end of the year in Vernon