Three charging depots for electric vehicles, managed by WattEV, will be constructed at key locations across California.
**WattEV Unveils Three New Megawatt Charging Depots in California**
WattEV, a leading innovator in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, has announced the construction of three new Megawatt Charging System (MCS) depots in California. These depots, located at Otay Mesa, Baker, and the Port of Long Beach, are designed to support Class 8 electric trucks with high-capacity charging.
The Otay Mesa depot, situated near the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego County, will have 7 MCS chargers and is being developed in cooperation with San Diego Gas & Electric. The Baker depot, located along the I-15 corridor between California and Nevada, will operate in collaboration with Southern California Edison and will feature 10 MCS chargers. The Port of Long Beach depot will contain 12 MCS chargers and will incorporate next-generation Silicon Carbide-based medium-voltage power rectifiers developed by WattEV’s Charge America division.
Together, these depots will deploy a total of 29 MCS units, capable of handling approximately 100,000 charging sessions annually, significantly reducing charging times to under 30 minutes per session. This reduction in charging time is a significant improvement compared to traditional charging methods.
The MCS chargers at the Port of Long Beach will also feature WattEV’s proprietary Solid-State Transformer (SST) technology, which eliminates the need for step-down transformers and reduces installation complexity and cost.
Salim Youssefzadeh, CEO of WattEV, predicts 2026 as the turning point for freight electrification. He believes that the introduction of trucks capable of megawatt charging at scale is the inflection point in freight electrification. These new depots are being built to accommodate the charging needs of long-haul trucks, contributing to building critical infrastructure for the burgeoning heavy-duty electric truck market in California.
The focus on Class 8-critical charging means these facilities are tailored for heavy-duty trucks, which require very high power levels typically provided by MCS technology. The usage of Silicon Carbide-based rectifiers and SST technology at the Port of Long Beach depot marks a notable advancement in medium-voltage power conversion for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
This expansion supports WattEV’s ambition to build one of America’s largest electric truck fleets and to establish a zero-emission freight corridor in California. By building these depots ahead of demand, WattEV is preparing California’s major freight corridors for the anticipated increase in freight electrification. The depots are strategically located to serve long-haul trucking routes, with the Port of Long Beach depot expanding WattEV’s existing charging hub.
In summary, each depot features high-capacity MCS units, partnerships with key utility companies for grid integration, advanced power electronics technology at the Port of Long Beach, capability for quick turnaround charging sessions, and deployment aimed at Class 8 long-haul trucking electrification. These depots are embracing the MCS standard, which can reduce vehicle charging times to 30 minutes, roughly equivalent to the time required to refuel a legacy diesel truck.
- WattEV, a key player in both science and business, is investing in the environmental-science sector by constructing three new Megawatt Charging System (MCS) depots in California, demonstrating their commitment to the transportation industry and the automotive market.
- Financially, these depots, which will be operational in collaboration with utility companies like San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison, are expected to play a significant role in reducing charging times for electric trucks, potentially benefiting the entire industry.
- Technologically, the use of advanced power electronics like Silicon Carbide-based medium-voltage power rectifiers and Solid-State Transformer (SST) technology in these depots signifies a leap forward in medium-voltage power conversion for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
- As WattEV continues to advance in the science and technology arena, their focus on building strategic depots for electric truck charging will contribute to the development of smart and efficient industry practices, ultimately promoting a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
