Daimler, NextEra, and BlackRock to deploy nationwide US electric trucking network

An initial investment of about $650 million divided evenly among the group will launch the deployment of EV and hydrogen medium- and heavy-duty trucks and charging stations across the US.

January 31, 2022 Ryan Kennedy

Image: Daimler

Daimler Truck North America, associated with the Mercedes-Benz brand, NextEra Energy Resources, and BlackRock Renewable Power announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to develop a joint venture in the design, development, installation, and operation of a nationwide charging network for medium- and heavy-duty battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Operations of the joint venture are expected to begin this year. Initial investment in the venture included an evenly split $650 million from the three parties.

Lack of publicly available EV charging infrastructure for commercial fleets, especially in long-haul operations, remains one of the most significant hurdles to the electrification of trucking, said Daimler. The parties shared plans to deploy a network of charging station routes along the east and west coasts and in Texas by 2026. The plans call for leveraging existing infrastructure and amenities while adding greenfield sites in anticipation of a rising customer base. The first phase of construction is planned for 2023, said Daimler.

The project will initially focus on medium- and heavy-duty battery EV, followed by hydrogen fueling stations. The sites are also planned to be accessible to light-duty passenger vehicles.

NextEra Energy Resources, a global solar and wind generator, has significant investments in EV charging infrastructure, and will bring experience in optimizing renewable energy, resiliency and grid integration. The group of three said it seeks to invest over $9.5 billion in total commitments across 350 solar and wind projects, as well as battery energy storage and charging infrastructure.

Daimler plans to begin the production of the battery electric freightliner eCascadia and eM2 in 2022-23, and additionally builds walk-in vans, school buses, and other fleet vehicles. The automaker partnered with Portland General Electric to build the nation’s first public charging site for commercial electric vehicles.

Investment manager BlackRock has over $65 billion in client commitments. Its renewables arm is one of the largest renewable power equity investment platforms globally. “The commercial transportation sector is a significant contributor to carbon emissions and we firmly believe that decarbonization of transportation will be a critical societal focus for the next decade.,” said David Giordano, head of BlackRock’s Renewable Power Group.

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