California Sets ZEV Milestones: Unveils Nation’s First Solar-Powered EV Truck Stop and World’s Largest Amazon EV Truck Fleet

SACRAMENTO – In the last two days, California has seen two firsts related to zero-emission vehicles: the nation’s first solar-powered electric truck charging depot and Amazon’s largest electric truck fleet in any country. 

In recent years, the state has ramped up its work to build a bigger, better electric vehicle or EV charging network to support both light-duty and heavy-duty ZEVs. 

The work is critical to achieving the state’s goals of 100% ZEV new car sales by 2035 and 100% ZEV medium and heavy-duty trucks by 2045. Find more ZEV projects in your community at build.ca.gov.

Nation’s first solar-powered EV truck charging depot opens in Bakersfield

California officials helped celebrate the grand opening of WattEV’s third and largest electric truck charging depot in Bakersfield on Monday. This will be the nation’s first electric truck stop featuring a solar-powered microgrid with a battery energy storage system. The truck depot will serve heavy-duty electric trucks with routes connecting the San Joaquin Valley’s agricultural sector and growing distribution warehouse region to the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, and inland destinations throughout Southern California and the West.

The depot was supported by a $5 million grant from the California Energy Commission – part of the Governor’s multi-billion-dollar California climate commitment. 

California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph highlighted this project’s significance in the drive to zero-emission truck transport and helping meet California’s climate goals. 

World’s largest fleet of Amazon electric trucks hit Los Angeles roads

California officials joined Los Angeles Mayor Bass and partners from the Biden Administration and the Port of Los Angeles to launch Amazon’s largest fleet of heavy-duty electric trucks in the world May 7. The company is rolling out nearly 50 heavy-duty electric trucks in Southern California, adding to hundreds of electric vans already deployed throughout the state. 

The heavy-duty trucks are part of the company’s first- and middle-mile delivery operations – moving goods from where they’re first manufactured into the company’s fulfillment network. Amazon already has deployed hundreds of electric vans throughout the state that serve the last portion of delivery operations – delivering goods from fulfillment centers to people’s homes.