Chula Vista is now home to one of the region’s fastest and most advanced electric vehicle charging hubs, part of a growing network stretching from the Pacific Northwest to the U.S.–Mexico border.
On Sept. 30, Skycharger and technology partner Electric Era commissioned the new site at Palomar Valero (873 Palomar St.), a milestone that company leaders said demonstrates the future of reliable, battery-backed charging.
“Chula Vista sits at a key junction along the I-5 corridor, which links Washington state to the Mexico border,” said Johannes Copeland, COO of Skycharger.
“This corridor is critical for both passenger and commercial traffic, including significant cross-border movement. Our new hub fills an essential gap in the charging network for drivers heading into or out of San Diego and Mexico.”
The site features four dual-port dispensers capable of delivering 200 kW each, meaning up to eight vehicles can charge at once. At that power level, most modern EVs can add 100 to 200 miles of range in just 20–30 minutes — much faster than many existing stations in the region.
“Drivers need to know they can stop, plug in, and get back on the road quickly,” Copeland said.
A 120-kW grid-tied battery energy storage unit backs the site, storing energy when demand is low and discharging it during peak times.
“The battery system gives us both resilience and cost efficiency,” Copeland said. “It smooths out energy demand while keeping charging reliable, even when the grid is under stress.”
Beyond personal EVs, the hub is designed with commercial users in mind. The high-power, dual-port chargers provide the speed and uptime that fleets and drayage operators need to stay on schedule.
“In the San Diego region, we’re advancing dedicated fleet and drayage truck projects,” Copeland said. “The Chula Vista hub is part of that larger strategy to support zero-emission freight and align with state and local emissions-reduction goals.”
What makes the hub stand out is its integration of Electric Era’s patented battery-backed charging architecture and an intelligent energy management system. Together, they cut installation time, lower energy costs, and enhance grid stability.
“This isn’t just about putting in chargers,” Copeland said. “It’s about building smarter charging sites that serve drivers, fleets, and the grid all at once.”
A Cross-Border Link
Located just miles from the U.S.–Mexico border, the Chula Vista hub also supports binational drivers and freight traffic. “Providing predictable, rapid charging here makes EVs more practical for people and businesses that move between the two countries every day,” Copeland said.
The project faced some delays, including a right-of-way permit and utility interconnection issues. “Utilities won’t schedule their work until the customer site is complete, which means projects often sit finished but unpowered for weeks or months,” Copeland said.
“Streamlining that process would allow critical infrastructure like this to come online faster.”
Early Results and What’s Ahead
Even before its official commissioning, the hub quickly became one of Skycharger’s most-utilized locations. The company is now engaging with local governments on future EV fleet charging needs.
“Location is everything, and Chula Vista clearly needed this level of service,” Copeland said. “Battery-backed fast charging delivers dependable service for drivers and helps stabilize the grid. Projects like this will be the backbone of EV adoption in Southern California and across the West Coast.”
