As the age-old saying goes, you can't have the cart without the horse. Likewise, you can't have electric vehicles without the charging infrastructure. Automotive Fleet has a roundup of recent EV infrastructure news, including:

• ChargeTronix Charging System Can Charge Up to Six Vehicles Simultaneously

• Kempower Celebrates Public Grand Opening of North Carolina EV Charger Manufacturing Facility

• Mullen Zero-Emissions PowerUP System Delivers Mobile DC Fast Charging

• Smappee EV Wall Charger Introduced to U.S. Market

• Yoshi Mobility Mobile Charging Technology Can Deliver Multiple Charges to a Fleet in One Trip

ChargeTronix Charging System Can Charge Up to Six Vehicles Simultaneously

ChargeTronix recently introduced its new 480 kW Nexus Distributed Charger, which is designed to support charging needs for commercial fleets.

According to ChargeTronix, the Nexus Distributed Charger is the first system to allow charging for up to six commercial vehicles at a time from a single power cabinet. It can also charge a 300 kWh Class 6 to 8 EV in 30 to 45 minutes or enable longer dwell times for multiple trucks during peak downtime periods.

“As the demand for electric trucks grows, acquiring an all-electric fleet is only half of the equation for fleet operators,” ChargeTronix Vice President of Operations Stephen Israel said. “Having charging infrastructure that provides dynamic power sharing in 40 kW power increments enables the operator to optimize charging to align with their duty cycle. With flexible solutions such as our new Nexus Distributed System, operators can share long dwell and opportunity charging assets.”

Kempower Celebrates Public Grand Opening of North Carolina EV Charger Manufacturing Facility

Kempower, a provider of direct current (DC) fast-charging solutions for EVs, celebrated the public grand opening of its manufacturing facility in Durham, North Carolina, serving U.S. and Canadian EV drivers, and fleet owners.

More than 250 people attended the June 4 grand opening event, including elected officials, stakeholders, and speakers.

“Kempower’s vision extends beyond technological innovation; it is about driving a global shift toward sustainable, clean energy for the planet,” Kempower CEO Tomi Ristimäki said. “Our new facility in Durham is a testament to our commitment to rapid and profitable growth, with a robust presence for today and beyond.”

Kempower’s growth strategy aims to position the company among the global top five in the DC charging market by 2030. The manufacturer has four factories spread across Europe and the United States.

“Kempower’s new facility is a beacon of hope and progress, demonstrating what can be achieved when public policy, private innovation, and community support come together,” North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said. “This is not just a celebration of Kempower; it is a celebration of all of us, committed to building a sustainable future.”

Durham Mayor Leo Williams presented Kempower with a formal proclamation on behalf of the city, declaring June 4 as ‘EV Charging Awareness Week.'

Kempower's charging solution provides solutions like its:

• North American Charging Standard Connector

• California Type Evaluation Program (CTEP) Certification — meaning that it meets California's laws and regulations

• NEVI compliance

• 400A Single Satellite

• Megawatt Charging System

“Kempower’s efforts complement the U.S. Department of Energy’s work to develop a nationwide EV charging network,” added Jeff Marootian, principal deputy assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy, U.S. Department of Energy. “By manufacturing and developing advanced charging solutions right here in the United States, Kempower is helping ensure we have the infrastructure needed to support the growing fleet of EV’s on our roads."

Kempower's Durham Facility by the Numbers:

• Will create approximately 300 jobs

• Estimated to add more than $700 million to North Carolina’s economy in the next decade

• Goal to reach 100% carbon neutrality target by 2035, operating a fully EV fleet, utilizing 100% fossil-free electricity by 2025,

• Contributing 0% landfill waste by 2025, while limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius in step with the Paris Agreement

• Delivery reliability is more than 90% and charger uptime more than 99%

Mullen Zero-Emissions PowerUP System Delivers Mobile DC Fast Charging

Mullen Automotive has announced the development of a zero-emissions version of PowerUP, Mullen’s mobile EV charging solution, that will now be offered on the company’s own Class 3 all-electric cab chassis truck.

Mullen’s PowerUP was first introduced in July 2023 as a mobile EV charging truck delivering level 2 and level 3 DC fast charging capabilities in scenarios where such power is not available, including roadside assistance and emergency response where immediate power is required for recharging electric vehicles or emergency power backup.

The new zero-emissions PowerUP mobile charging truck represents a pivot from the previously announced model which utilized a gasoline Class 5 cab chassis platform and a dual-fuel (propane/natural gas) power generation unit.

The shift to a 100% zero-emission model is part of Mullen's commitment to sustainable transportation solutions and aligns with the overwhelming market demand for zero-emission options in the mobile EV charging space.

Now available with multiple platform integration and scaling options including the Mullen THREE Class 3 cab chassis truck, the zero-emissions PowerUP system also offers significant improvements in charging capabilities and versatility.

The zero-emissions mobile charging solution is intended to be a scalable battery platform that can be configured to meet various market needs, ranging from 10kW to 1MW and can utilize new or re-purposed battery cells.

It features Level 3 DC fast charging, off-grid AC power, and micro-grid connectivity, making it suitable for multiple applications. The battery-powered PowerUP is a quiet operation with minimal noise pollution. 

The Zero-Emissions PowerUp truck has:

• Two Level 3 Fast Chargers (60 kW each output)

• 20kW (up to 160kW) 120V/240V/480V AC Output

• 12V jumper terminals

PowerUP can be recharged using either solar and wind-off-grid power generation, or through a bi-directional 480V grid connection.

“We're constantly innovating and adapting to meet the evolving needs of the industry," Mullen CEO and Chairman David Michery said. "The feedback on the initial PowerUP concept was overwhelmingly positive, but the market is clearly looking for a zero-emission solution. By leveraging our all-electric Mullen THREE, the new PowerUP delivers recharging at a higher level of scalability and performance while offering zero emissions for both the vehicle and power unit."

Mullen is developing PowerUP at its High Energy Facility located in Fullerton, California.

Smappee EV Wall Charger Introduced to U.S. Market

Smappee, a global clean-tech company, has announces the launch of its EV Wall charger in the United States. Designed for both residential and commercial use, the smart charger integrates seamlessly with Smappee's advanced energy management technology.

By connecting the charger to their own solar panels and utilizing Smappee's built-in solar forecasting technology, users can maximize their EV charging with solar power, enhancing self-sufficiency, savings and promoting environmentally friendly daytime charging.

The charger’s AI-based system intelligently manages charging to avoid high-cost periods and utility penalties by allowing users to set peak demand preferences, while also ensuring drivers have a full charge by departure time.

Smappee's precise revenue-grade energy monitoring ensures a balanced energy use between multiple EVs and the building, preventing costly electrical upgrades and ensuring a reliable charging experience without tripping breakers.

The charger includes a functional adjustable LED light that provides essential feedback while doubling as ambient lighting to enhance safety in parking spaces.

The Smappee EV Wall charger has a space-saving design but with powerful capabilities, making it an ideal charging solution for both home charging and depot charging. It can be seamlessly integrated with Smappee's Smartup Kit for residential use or the Smappee Infinity for businesses unlocking all smart features.

The charger has a power output of 48A, wall-mounted design, an 18-ft cable, and is fully UL 2231 certified.

The user-friendly Smappee App provides easy control and management of charging sessions for users. The Smappee Management Dashboard offers comprehensive control over EV fleets and charging stations, all accessible remotely in real-time.

"We are thrilled to introduce the Smappee EV Wall Charger to the US market. With its advanced energy management capabilities, this charger empowers consumers and businesses to make smarter, more sustainable choices while enjoying the benefits of reliable electric mobility. Smappee is committed to providing innovative solutions that enhance energy efficiency and accelerate the energy transition." Smappee Founder and CEO Stefan Grosjean said.

Installation is performed by Smappee's network of certified local installers.

Yoshi Mobility Mobile Charging Technology Can Deliver Multiple Charges to a Fleet in One Trip

Yoshi Mobility EV's new high-power mobile charging unit is designed to create a supercharger on wheels. The charger is vehicle platform agnostic, allowing any EV to be turned into a mobile charger.

In a news release, Yoshi Mobility stated that its charger is the first fully electric, zero-emission mobile charger on the market that can charge at 240kW and deliver multiple charges to a fleet of vehicles in one trip. The mobile charging technology premiered on the General Motors BrightDrop Zevo 600 vehicle.

“Our mobile charging technology is a breakthrough in the EV charging industry,” Yoshi Mobility CEO and Co-Founder Bryan Frist said. “We believe that this mobile solution will play a critical role in expediting the adoption of electric vehicles nationwide. It is one more product that we have built for our fleet customers, and it furthers our mission to make car ownership and management frictionless.”

Yoshi Mobility’s DC fast-charger has the capacity to electrify an entire parking lot, whether it is at a large fleet yard or a corporate campus with thousands of vehicles.

Pricing is based on location and enterprise charging needs. Yoshi Mobility can deploy this service to U.S.-based customers within 10 days once under contract for service.