Greenlane launches second long-haul electric truck charging corridor on I-10, anchoring Colton as Inland Empire freight hub
Greenlane has opened a second long‑haul electric truck charging corridor along I‑10, linking Colton, CA, to Phoenix, AZ. The Colton hub will anchor high‑power charging for Class 8 semis, advancing fleet decarbonization efforts and zero‑emission freight.
Key takeaways
- Greenlane Interstate 10 links Colton, CA, to Phoenix, AZ, creating a new long‑haul corridor for Class 8 electric trucks.
- Colton site is the flagship hub with up to 60 high‑power chargers, driver amenities and wide pull‑through lanes.
- Windrose R700 pilot completed near‑300‑mile runs with a full load, arriving with ~12% battery and peak charging around 772 kW.
- Backed by a major JV — Daimler Truck North America, NextEra Energy and BlackRock — Greenlane launched with roughly $675 million; Colton received $15 million via the NEVI program.
Route and infrastructure: what’s being built and where
Greenlane’s I‑10 corridor runs east from Colton through the Inland Empire, across the desert at Blythe and into Phoenix. The network will place intermediate charging sites roughly every 60–90 miles to serve long‑haul routes and reduce wait times for heavy‑duty rigs.
Colton already functions as Greenlane’s largest facility: up to 60 high‑power chargers, wide pull‑through lanes for large rigs, restrooms and driver amenities are in place. The hub also links the new east‑west I‑10 corridor to Greenlane’s existing north‑south I‑15 corridor.
Pilot testing and performance data
Greenlane stress‑tested corridor assumptions with a pilot from Windrose Technology. A Windrose R700 hauled a full payload (listed at 74,420 pounds) nearly 300 miles from Colton to Phoenix and arrived with about 12% battery remaining.
Charging performance was notable: peak rates of about 772 kW were achieved on dual‑gun chargers at Colton, enabling faster turnarounds and supporting diesel‑competitive operational tempos.
“Those trips help show that long‑haul electric freight can be feasible on this corridor with present vehicle efficiency and charging power.”
Business structure, funding and policy context
Greenlane is a joint venture of Daimler Truck North America, NextEra Energy and BlackRock, seeded with roughly $675 million to build a nationwide commercial charging network for heavy‑duty EVs. The partnership combines OEM, utility and finance expertise to coordinate grid planning and site rollout.
The Colton site also benefited from public support: a $15 million grant through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program helped accelerate construction and demonstrates how federal funding plugs into corridor buildouts.
Greenlane’s roadmap includes expanding corridors along major freight routes and exploring complementary refueling options such as hydrogen, while designing sites for mixed use — heavy trucks, light commercial fleets and passenger EVs.
Open questions and operational challenges
- Exact station locations and timelines: Intermediate sites (for example, Blythe) are not yet fully public, complicating dispatch and permitting plans.
- Grid upgrades and cost allocation: Sustained 700–800 kW charging at scale requires utility coordination and upgrades — who pays and how long upgrades take are key variables.
- Charger uptime, queuing and pricing: High‑power chargers shorten dwell times but increase demand spikes; spacing stations every 60–90 miles mitigates, but does not eliminate, congestion risk.
- Interoperability: Broader testing across OEMs and mixed fleets is necessary; the Windrose pilot is promising but not exhaustive.
Significance for freight decarbonization
The I‑10 corridor is among the nation’s busiest freight arteries. A reliable electric charging route here could remove a major barrier to fleet electrification by aligning route geometry and payload needs with charging infrastructure, enabling carriers and shippers in the Inland Empire to plan long‑haul electric operations.
Implications for the Inland Empire
Economic impact
The Inland Empire could gain from nearby, reliable charging: lower operating costs for carriers, greater appeal for warehouses seeking lower‑emission logistics, and new jobs in construction, electrical work and charger maintenance — albeit with different skill requirements than diesel maintenance roles.
Political consequences
Local officials will face pressure to streamline permitting, coordinate utilities and set local policies that support buildout while protecting community interests. The NEVI grant to Colton shows federal funding helps, but many local policy choices remain.
Social effects
Driver amenities (pull‑through lanes, restrooms) matter for safety and comfort. Charging shifts work rhythms: faster charging reduces dwell time, but queuing could create new waits. Communities hosting stations will seek assurances on traffic, lighting, noise and local hiring.
Cultural relevance
The corridor reframes the Inland Empire’s trucking legacy as modernization rather than disruption, linking logistics heritage to low‑emission technology and helping local ports and warehouses stay competitive.
Practical applications for residents and businesses
- Fleets in the Inland Empire can pilot long‑haul electric freight sooner with nearby access at Colton and planned I‑10 sites.
- Warehousing and logistics firms can market lower‑emission service options and reduce Scope 3 emissions linked to trucking.
- Local workforce programs should prioritize training in high‑voltage systems, charger maintenance and EV fleet electrification to capture new job opportunities.
Sources and further reading
- Autoweek: Greenlane Arizona charging corridor announcement
- Electrek: Greenlane second long‑haul EV truck corridor pilot
- Covar Transport: Greenlane expands EV charging corridor to Phoenix
- Greenlane (Wikipedia overview)
- Daimler Truck press release: Greenlane joint venture
Reporting in this piece draws on Greenlane pilot results, company announcements and industry reporting listed above.
