Kempower MCS North America: Successful Megawatt Charge in California

The race to electrify North America’s heavy-duty trucking corridors reached a pivotal milestone this week. Kempower, in collaboration with EV Realty and Windrose, announced the first successful charging session using the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) at a commercial hub in San Bernardino, California.

This event marks the first time a Kempower Mega Satellite MCS unit has been deployed and operated under real-world conditions in North America. For fleet operators and logistics providers, the successful 1.2 MW charge represents more than just a technical win; it is a concrete signal that the infrastructure required for Class 8 electric trucks is moving from the pilot phase into commercial readiness.

Breaking the 1 MW Barrier: Technical Specifications

The San Bernardino charging hub, owned and operated by EV Realty, is strategically located within California’s “Inland Empire,” a global epicenter for freight and logistics. The site’s technical architecture is designed to handle the massive energy demands of next-generation electric haulage.

The installation features a 1,200 kW Kempower Power Unit integrated with two Kempower Mega Satellite MCS dispensers. Key technical highlights include:

• Peak Output: Up to 1.2 MW of continuous power.
• Current Capacity: 1,500 A of continuous output.
• Thermal Management: Advanced liquid-cooled cable technology to prevent overheating during sustained high-power draws.
• Interoperability: Designed to work across various vehicle manufacturers, ensuring that different truck brands can utilize the same high-speed infrastructure.

Strategic Importance for North American Logistics

The Megawatt Charging System North America rollout is essential for the viability of long-haul electric trucking. While standard DC fast chargers (CCS1) are sufficient for passenger vehicles and medium-duty vans, they lack the “refueling” speed required for a driver’s mandatory break periods.

“MCS is a potential game changer for fleets looking to reduce dwell times and improve the efficiency of their operations,” said Suncheth Bhat, Chief Commercial Officer at EV Realty. “Fleets are excited about the trucks but have questions about where they will be able to charge. This test confirms that we will be ready for real-world MCS charging when the trucks hit the road later this year.”

By delivering power in the megawatt range, MCS technology allows heavy-duty drivers to add hundreds of miles of range in under 30 minutes, aligning EV charging with existing logistics workflows and HOS (Hours of Service) regulations.

The Competitor Landscape: Kempower vs. The Market

The successful deployment in San Bernardino places Kempower at the forefront of a highly competitive clean energy infrastructure market. While Tesla has pioneered its own proprietary “Megacharger” for the Semi, the Kempower and EV Realty approach emphasizes stronger standardization and open-access interoperability.

Industry analysts note that while Tesla’s solution is robust, it remains largely locked to its own ecosystem. In contrast, the Kempower Mega Satellite system utilizes the emerging MCS standard supported by CharIN, positioning it as the preferred choice for third-party charge point operators (CPOs) who need to service multi-brand fleets. This flexibility is critical for regional hubs like San Bernardino, where a single site might host trucks from Volvo, Freightliner, and Windrose simultaneously.

Industry Implications: Scaling the Electric Supply Chain

The transition to heavy-duty EV charging requires more than just high-output hardware; it requires a fundamental shift in grid management and site development. EV Realty’s “Powered Properties” model addresses this by securing high-powered grid connections near major freight corridors before the trucks even arrive.

Jed Routh, VP of Markets and Products at Kempower, emphasized the reliability of the system. “This milestone… marks a major step for heavy-duty charging in the region, demonstrating real-world interoperability and reliable delivery,” Routh stated.

Kempower’s entry into the North American MCS market follows a series of successful pilots in Europe, where the company has collaborated with major logistics firms and truck manufacturers. The move to the U.S. market is a calculated expansion as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) continue to tighten emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles.

Looking Ahead: Site Opening and Market Growth

The San Bernardino hub is scheduled to officially open in April 2026. As truck manufacturers scale production of MCS-compatible vehicles throughout the remainder of the year, the demand for fast charging tech at this scale is expected to skyrocket.

For investors and policymakers, this successful test is proof of concept that the technology is no longer theoretical. The Megawatt Charging System North America is now operational, paving the way for a decarbonized supply chain that does not sacrifice operational uptime.

About Kempower: Headquartered in Finland with a major production facility in the U.S., Kempower specializes in modular DC fast-charging solutions. The company is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and focuses on scalable, user-centric software and hardware for the global e-mobility transition.

About EV Realty: EV Realty develops high-powered EV charging hubs tailored for commercial fleets. Their Powered Properties® provide secure, low-cost, and scalable grid access near critical industrial centers and freight corridors.