First Megawatt Truck Charge in North America Lands in California — A Milestone for Heavy-Duty EVs and Local Freight Hubs
San Bernardino, California (Our Hesperia) – Kempower, Windrose and EV Realty completed North America’s first Megawatt Charging System (MCS) session for heavy-duty trucks at EV Realty’s San Bernardino hub this week, demonstrating up to 1.2 MW and 1,500 amps of continuous power.
- First North American MCS session: Kempower Mega Satellite MCS delivered up to 1.2 MW and 1,500 A for heavy trucks at EV Realty’s San Bernardino hub.
- Real-world readiness: The session used a 1,200 kW Kempower Power Unit with liquid-cooled cables, showing practical, sustained high-power charging.
- Impacts for fleets and regions: Faster charging reduces dwell time, boosts fleet productivity, and supports freight electrification in the Inland Empire and beyond.
Kempower (charger maker), Windrose (electric long-haul truck maker) and EV Realty (charging hub operator) partnered to complete the first Megawatt Charging System (MCS) session in North America at EV Realty’s San Bernardino charging hub. The installation demonstrated continuous delivery of up to 1.2 megawatts (MW) and 1,500 amps, an output level far beyond typical passenger-car fast chargers.
This landmark event—part of a broader industry push—signals that private charging hubs can be built and operated today to meet the needs of heavy-duty MCS-capable trucks arriving on U.S. roads later this year.
Inside the San Bernardino site
EV Realty installed a 1,200 kW Kempower Power Unit connected to two Kempower Mega Satellite MCS dispensers. The system’s liquid-cooled cables are designed to manage heat at these power levels and keep charging stable for long durations, enabling real-world continuous charging sessions for heavy trucks.
“We are building sites that can serve any heavy-duty truck, including those utilizing MCS. This test confirms that we will be ready for real-world MCS charging when the trucks hit the road later this year,” said Suncheth Bhat, chief commercial officer at EV Realty.
Why MCS matters for heavy trucks
The Megawatt Charging System (MCS) standard delivers more than 1 MW—several times the output of today’s fastest public chargers for passenger cars—allowing long-haul trucks to charge much faster, shorten downtime at hubs, and keep fleets on schedule. MCS interoperability is central: truck makers worldwide plan long-range trucks that include MCS capability, and infrastructure must follow.
Interoperability and industry perspective
Kempower has run MCS tests in Europe and worked with truck makers, logistics companies, and charge operators to validate interoperability. Kempower’s vice president, Jed Routh, described the San Bernardino session as “a major step for heavy-duty charging in the region, demonstrating real-world interoperability and reliable delivery.”
A step toward deployment, not just a demo
This session was part of a wider push to make megawatt charging operable across brands in real-world conditions, not merely a publicity demo. EV Realty’s hub is slated to open in April 2026, and firm statements from participants indicate sites will be ready when MCS-capable trucks arrive.
Broader context in California and beyond
California already hosts multiple heavy-duty charging projects. Programs like CALSTART’s EnergIIZE promote MCS adoption for fleets while utilities expand capacity. Private projects such as WattEV’s expanded California site, Terawatt’s I-10 hub, and bp pulse’s Ontario hub illustrate rapid private investment to meet expected demand.
Implications for Hesperia, California
Economic impact: Hesperia, positioned on the I-15 freight corridor in the Inland Empire, could attract fleets and private investment to support nearby truck yards, service shops, hotels, and restaurants. Property owners and developers may see higher demand for land near freeways suitable for charging hubs.
Jobs and local services: Building and operating MCS-capable sites requires technicians, operators, security, and maintenance staff. Construction work and ongoing operations can create local employment opportunities, and partnerships with trade schools or community colleges could support workforce training.
Political and regulatory effects: The Kempower–EV Realty deployment underscores private-sector, market-driven solutions to infrastructure needs. Local officials in San Bernardino County and Hesperia should coordinate with utilities on grid upgrades and permitting to prevent delays—an approach consistent with CALSTART’s EnergIIZE program.
Grid capacity and costs: Megawatt charging imposes heavy loads on local distribution systems. Utilities may require upgrades and cost-sharing arrangements; local leaders should press for transparent plans to protect taxpayers while enabling private investment.
Social and community effects: Faster charging reduces diesel idling and related pollution, improving air quality near truck corridors. However, construction and increased truck traffic require mitigation measures—traffic flow planning, landscaping buffers, and site-hour limits—to protect nearby neighborhoods.
Cultural relevance and practical steps: Hesperia’s economy depends on timely freight movement. MCS-capable hubs nearby reduce range anxiety for local fleets and help keep deliveries on schedule. Practical steps for local leaders include zoning updates for heavy-duty charging, streamlined permitting, and early utility engagement.
Sources and further reading
- ElectricDrives: Kempower reaches megawatt truck charging milestone in California
- Electrek: This charger’s first megawatt truck charge hits North America
- ChargedEVs: Kempower and Windrose demonstrate megawatt charging system in real-world test at California charging hub
- CALSTART: EnergIIZE program overview
- Automotive World: WattEV expands California e-truck charging site
- Terawatt I-10 hub demo (YouTube)
- CleanTrucking: bp pulse Class 6–8 truck charging hub coming to California
This San Bernardino test demonstrates that private companies are rapidly moving to solve the practical problem of where big electric trucks will plug in. For Hesperia and the Inland Empire, the choices are clear: encourage private investment, coordinate utility plans, and ensure local workers and businesses share the gains from faster, heavy-duty EV charging infrastructure.
