This initiative supports Penske's deployment of electric trucks in the Stockton, California area.

Hitachi Energy is supplying Penske with its Grid-eMotion Fleet EV charging system which is designed for large-scale charging and can reduce space requirements by up to 60% compared to conventional systems.

"Investing in electric vehicles and charging solutions is crucial," said Art Vallely, president of Penske Truck Leasing. "Robust charging infrastructure is essential for the future of commercial electric trucks."

Penske has been a leader in adopting electric trucks and has invested in testing and maintaining these vehicles. The company is already using Hitachi's system to charge a variety of electric trucks at its Stockton facility.

This project builds on Hitachi's existing partnership with Penske and highlights their commitment to reducing emissions. The companies are also exploring AI-based smart charging solutions to optimise charging processes.

"This project marks a significant leap forward in sustainable transportation," said Hicham Abdessamad, CEO of Hitachi America. "Hitachi designed Grid-eMotion Fleet to address commercial and public transportation electrification. Partnering with Penske, we're paving the way for a better transportation future."

This pilot project is a major step towards making electric trucks a viable option for businesses across the country.

Grid-eMotion Fleet is a grid-scale and space-saving grid-to-plug charging solution that can be installed in new and existing truck depots and logistics centres. The charging solution can be scaled flexibly as the fleet gets bigger and greener. It includes different charging points configurations and a robust and compact grid connection directly at the distribution level. The system is available to support commercial vehicle fleets of all kinds, including last-mile delivery and heavy-duty trucks that require high-power charging of several megawatts.