A California startup has installed an off-grid electric-vehicle fast-charging station powered by solar panels and a large battery in California.
The project demonstrates a potential solution for expanding EV infrastructure in remote areas where connecting to the traditional electrical grid is expensive or technically difficult.
Reports place the installation in Barstow on Route 66 [1], though some sources identify a similar off-grid charger located on I-15 [3]. The system utilizes 1,080 solar panels [4] to generate electricity, which is then stored in a large battery pack. Estimates for the battery capacity range between 3.4 MWh [4] and 3.6 MWh [3].
The facility features four CCS1 ports [3] with a shared power rating of 360 kW [3]. By removing the need for a grid connection, the startup aims to reduce operating costs and provide more reliable fast-charging for drivers traveling through the region.
There are conflicting reports regarding the cost for consumers. Some sources said the station undercuts nearby rivals on pricing [1], while other reports said the charging is free to use [4].
The use of a massive battery array allows the station to provide high-voltage fast charging even during periods of low sunlight. This configuration ensures that the 360 kW capacity [3] remains available to multiple vehicles simultaneously without causing local grid instability.
“A California startup has installed an off-grid electric-vehicle fast-charging station powered by solar panels and a large battery.”
This deployment tests the viability of 'islanded' energy hubs to solve the 'charging desert' problem. If the startup can maintain high-power output and low costs without grid subsidies, it could accelerate EV adoption in rural corridors by removing the primary barrier to infrastructure growth: the high cost of utility interconnection.
