Greenlane and Windrose collaborate to offer free charging, aiming to speed up the adoption of electric trucks

Windrose and Greenlane Launch Free Charging Initiative for Electric Trucks

Windrose is now providing buyers of its Global E700 electric truck with three months of free charging on the Greenlane network. This initiative aims to make electric trucks more appealing by reducing one of the main hurdles: the higher total cost of ownership compared to traditional diesel vehicles.

This collaboration draws inspiration from incentive strategies that have already proven effective in the passenger car market. By joining forces, both Windrose and Greenlane are positioning themselves to benefit from a pivotal moment in the commercial electric vehicle sector, as more businesses consider making the switch to electric fleets.

The partnership signals a new approach for charging infrastructure providers. Instead of simply installing charging stations and leaving customers to manage the logistics, Greenlane is focusing on electrifying key freight corridors where shippers and carriers already do business.

According to Greenlane CEO Patrick Macdonald-King, this arrangement serves several purposes. “It introduces customers to Greenlane, gives us the opportunity to collaborate on long-term charging solutions, and even offers options for vehicle storage if needed,” he explained in an interview with FreightWaves.

Tackling the High Upfront Cost of Electric Trucks

The biggest challenge facing fleet electrification is the initial purchase price, which can be two to three times higher than that of a comparable diesel truck. Incentive programs like California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) have played a crucial role in narrowing this price gap.

These vouchers act as discounts, lowering the cost of electric trucks based on how they’ll be used and the size of the fleet, with the largest savings going to drayage operations.

Interest in these incentives has been strong. Macdonald-King noted that around $350 million in HVIP funds were claimed within just three weeks of becoming available. “There was a lot of enthusiasm for applying for these vouchers,” he said.

Tesla has become a major player in this space, securing about 70% of the available vouchers. The Tesla Semi stands out due to its competitive price (around $300,000 before incentives, and as low as $225,000-$250,000 with vouchers), long battery range, and megawatt charging capabilities.

“We’re now reaching a point where electric trucks can compete directly with diesel, especially with faster charging and extended range,” Macdonald-King added.

Proven Performance and Infrastructure Readiness

The partnership between Windrose and Greenlane builds on successful interoperability. During test runs along the I-10 corridor from Colton, California, to Phoenix, Arizona, the Windrose Global E700 achieved a peak charging rate of 772 kW and covered over 400 miles on a single charge while hauling nearly 74,000 pounds.

These trials confirmed that both the I-10 and I-15 routes are fully equipped to support electric freight operations using Greenlane’s charging infrastructure.

Megawatt Charging: The Next Step for Electric Freight

The industry is moving away from depot-based charging and toward “lane lighting,” where entire freight corridors are equipped with reliable charging infrastructure. This gives logistics companies the confidence to plan electric routes, such as the corridor from the Port of Long Beach to Phoenix.

Megawatt charging is quickly becoming the norm, with major manufacturers like Tesla, Volvo, Daimler, and International adopting a unified charging standard. Macdonald-King expects megawatt charging to be widely available by the end of 2026, with more megawatt-capable vehicles launching in the following years.

The benefits are substantial: while current trucks charge at 200-250 kW, megawatt charging (1,000 kW) can cut charging times by 75%, reducing them to just 20-25 minutes—similar to the time needed to refuel a diesel truck. This fits neatly into the 30-minute breaks required for drivers by the U.S. Department of Transportation, allowing charging to happen during mandatory rest periods.

However, supplying enough power for these high-demand sites is a challenge. Greenlane is addressing this with battery storage systems that strengthen the grid and allow for energy cost optimization by storing power during off-peak hours and using it when demand is highest.

“Battery storage gives us flexibility,” Macdonald-King explained. “It helps us keep costs manageable for customers while maintaining a healthy business.”

Greenlane recently introduced an energy management platform that automatically decides when to use grid power or stored energy, optimizing both cost and efficiency.

Looking Ahead: Navigating Incentives and Regulation

As the industry moves through 2025, it continues to adapt to changing regulations and the expiration of federal incentives. The 30C tax credit will end on June 30, and the $7,500 tax credit has already lapsed.

Macdonald-King does not expect major new federal programs but believes existing initiatives will persist. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, for example, survived recent attempts at cancellation thanks to support from several states.