By Kevin Christopher, CPO at ZeroMission

The economics of freight are shifting, and fast. New analysis shows that electric trucks can outcompete their diesel-fuelled counterparts on the cost of moving goods from California’s busy seaports to inland distribution hubs. The caveat? Reliable charging at both ends of the route.

That very challenge is now igniting a boom in the construction of truck-charging depots across the state.

Last week, EV Realty, a San Francisco-based developer, broke ground on one of California’s largest grid-powered, fast-charging depots in San Bernardino, at the heart of the Inland Empire’s logistics corridor. Once complete in early 2026, the site will draw 10 megawatts of power and feature 76 DC fast-charging ports, including ultra-high-capacity chargers capable of recharging a Tesla Semi in under 30 minutes.

This milestone is backed by fresh momentum. EV Realty secured $75 million from NGP, adding to its $28 million raise in 2022 and a joint venture with GreenPoint Partners to channel $200 million into charging hubs. CEO Patrick Sullivan confirmed the company is now “fully capitalized” to deliver five to seven large-scale depots, alongside smaller built-to-suit projects.

A new model for freight electrification

Unlike public charging networks that rely on passing trade, EV Realty is building dedicated charging infrastructure for fleets. Of the 76 chargers in San Bernardino, 72 are already contracted to freight carriers on multiyear deals, ensuring guaranteed access to power 24/7. This model not only secures revenue for the operator but gives fleets the operational certainty they need to make the leap to zero-emission trucking.

The site will also include megawatt-class “pull-through” chargers, designed for trailers and heavy-duty rigs, available on a pay-per-use basis.

Why it matters

California’s freight sector is under pressure from all sides: air quality standards, climate targets, and cost competitiveness. As diesel fuel costs rise and EV battery ranges improve, the economics increasingly favour electric. But without strategically located depots, the transition risks stalling.

What EV Realty is demonstrating is that infrastructure certainty drives adoption. Fleets aren’t just buying trucks; they are reshaping operations, rethinking depot logistics, and relying on data-driven tools to optimise charging schedules and routes.

At ZeroMission, this is precisely where FleetOps360° Fleet Moderisation comes into play, helping fleets model energy demand, match duty cycles to charging strategies, and integrate depot-level insights into wider operational planning.

The bigger picture

San Bernardino may be the first, but it won’t be the last. With projects also lined up in Torrance (near the Port of Long Beach) and Livermore, EV Realty is positioning itself at the epicentre of California’s freight-to-fleet revolution.

Electric trucking isn’t a theoretical exercise anymore, it’s happening, and it’s happening at scale. For fleet operators, the question is no longer if but how quickly they can pivot to take advantage of lower costs, improved air quality, and long-term resilience.

The ground is shifting beneath diesel’s wheels, and it’s happening in the heart of America’s busiest logistics corridors.