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    Hitachi and Penske Truck Leasing Introduce Electric Truck Charging Solution in California

    March 21, 2024
    Penske’s electric trucks will deploy Grid-eMotion Fleet, a 10-pedestal system capable of charging as many as 10 trucks on-site up to 100 kW or five trucks up to 200 kW
    Penske Truck Leasing
    65fc41430e3f19001ebb6925 Penske Truck Leasing

    Hitachi America, Hitachi Energy, and Penske Truck Leasing have unveiled a large-scale, centralized electric truck charging solution - Grid-eMotion Fleet - for Penske’s electric truck deployments in Stockton, California. 

    The integrated direct current fast charging solution is designed to not only increase and deliver multi-megawatt level charging capabilities but also meet the demanding requirements of truck fleets of varying sizes. The new system will help reduce space requirements by up to 60% compared to conventional charging systems and minimize cabling requirements by up to 40%, ensuring effective use of resources while maintaining high-capacity charging for electric vehicles (EVs).

    The solution’s 10-pedestal system is capable of charging as many as 10 trucks on-site up to 100 kW or five trucks up to 200 kW for Penske’s fleet operations.

    Hitachi and Penske are also exploring AI-based smart charging solutions to optimize vehicle charging processes. This attempt will help unlock fresh prospects, laying the groundwork for enhanced service, maintenance, and EV charging opportunities throughout Penske’s fleet.

    “This project with Penske marks a significant leap forward in our collective commitment to sustainable transportation and demonstrates how we can move electric fleets from niche to mainstream,” said Hicham Abdessamad, Chairman and CEO of Hitachi America, Ltd. 

    Over the years, Penske has committed to adopting battery-electric commercial vehicles and made investments in testing, maintaining, and expanding charging infrastructure to support these vehicles. The company continues to test and operate EV trucks across its leasing, rental, and logistics fleets in various industries, including retail, manufacturing, grocery, quick-service restaurant chains, and automotive parts. 

    “This project presents an ideal opportunity to highlight the benefits of charging systems designed specifically for fleets and how they can support the transition to a more sustainable mode of operations,” said Alireza Aram, General Manager of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration Business in North America. “Hitachi Energy’s Grid-eMotion Fleet technology can provide fleet operators with the flexibility they need to address the unique requirements of each facility.”

    About the Author

    EnergyTech Staff

    Rod Walton is senior editor for EnergyTech.com. He has spent 14 years covering the energy industry as a newspaper and trade journalist.

    Walton formerly was energy writer and business editor at the Tulsa World. Later, he spent six years covering the electricity power sector for Pennwell and Clarion Events. He joined Endeavor and EnergyTech in November 2021.

    He can be reached at [email protected]. 

    EnergyTech is focused on the mission critical and large-scale energy users and their sustainability and resiliency goals. These include the commercial and industrial sectors, as well as the military, universities, data centers and microgrids.

    Many large-scale energy users such as Fortune 500 companies, and mission-critical users such as military bases, universities, healthcare facilities, public safety and data centers, shifting their energy priorities to reach net-zero carbon goals within the coming decades. These include plans for renewable energy power purchase agreements, but also on-site resiliency projects such as microgrids, combined heat and power, rooftop solar, energy storage, digitalization and building efficiency upgrades.