San Diego Gas & Electric deploys first public, DC fast chargers for electric medium, heavy-duty vehicles in California

At the Truck Net LLC truck stop near the United States/Mexico border, California this week gained its first DC fast chargers for public use on electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles, thanks to deployment by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E).

Four chargers were deployed, each offering 250 kW of charge capable of providing up to 250 miles per hour of charging for a passenger car. For typical medium-duty box trucks, these chargers would be able to charge them up to full from empty in about two hours.

“Reducing air pollution and tailpipe emissions are top priorities for our region and California, especially in equity priority communities, and SDG&E is committed to building the infrastructure needed to enable businesses and residents to adopt electric vehicles and other clean technologies,” Caroline Winn, SDG&E CEO, said. “We all share the goal of building a cleaner, more sustainable, and healthier future.”

The chargers were funded through a $200,000 grant from the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) Clean Transportation Program. The program is in its 14th year, although funding for the program is scheduled to phase out at the end of the year.

“Air pollution doesn’t recognize national boundaries, and to accommodate the transition to zero-emission trucks on both sides of the border, it’s critically important that we rapidly scale up the charging network,” California Energy Commissioner Patty Monahan said. “The California Energy Commission is helping fund this project and others across the state to build a better and more equitable charging infrastructure system for both cars and trucks.”

SDG&E built the foundational infrastructure that tied the chargers to the area’s grid. Its participation was through its Power Your Drive for Fleets program, which links fleet operators with the resources and financial incentives to promote the design and installation of charging infrastructure for medium and heavy-duty fleets.

These deployments will support those crossing the border at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, particularly bolstering charging near the busiest commercial border crossing in California.