Electrada, Duke Energy partner with Daimler to electrify fleets

Commercial vehicle charging manufacturer Electrada and utility company Duke Energy have launched an electrification center designed to provide zero-emission, carbon-free fleet charging for commercial EVs. 

The Duke Energy + Electrada Fleet Mobility Microgrid in Mount Holly, N.C., features six fleet charging stations ranging from 120 to 300 kilowatts (kW) as well as two Level 2 chargers and supports various commercial vehicle fleet types. Charging options are either from Duke Energy’s grid or directly from the renewable energy microgrid, according to Electrada’s Nov. 21 press release.

Electrada, Duke Energy and transportation partner Daimler aim to provide cost savings, reliability and support for fleet electrification in addition to sustainability goal support through their partnerships, Electrada Chief Executive Kevin Kushman told Equipment Finance News. 

“Fleets of different shapes, sizes, complexities can actually be fueled electrically with a high reliability aspect. You’re not working with gear that was deployed in the public environment where the gear company sold some stuff and went away, and now you’re just hoping it lives up to its warranty.”

Electrada Chief Executive Kevin Kushman

To meet fleet electrification needs, providing a complex utility service delivers a more holistic solution, Kushman said. 

“There has to be a view that this is almost a micro utility type of a service level where you’re expecting it to be on all the time, and where if something does fail, you have rapid response,” he said. “In terms of energy supply reliability, having the chance to be able to mix and match what the vehicles rely on … so that you’re serving the highest reliability for charging at the lowest possible cost, and including clean sources.”

Electrada electrifying customers, infrastructure

Making customers comfortable with EV adoption represents a key component to a successful transition as the outlook for EVs remains uncertain, Kushman said. 

“Customers who feel comfortable are going to order more trucks, and they’re going to feel comfortable their costs are contained,” he said.  

“It isn’t just buying a piece of equipment and plugging it in.” 

Electrada Chief Executive Kevin Kushman

The microgrid represents a critical step in the future of electrification for Dailmer, Jeff Allen, senior vice president of operations and specialty vehicles at Daimler Truck North America, said in the release. 

“Our collaboration with Duke Energy and Electrada goes beyond infrastructure development – it’s about creating a sustainable, scalable fleet electrification solution,” he said  

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