BriarPatch Food Co-op and Skycharger have expanded the electric vehicle (EV) charging hub at the co-op’s Grass Valley location, increasing capacity from two to ten fast-charging ports in a move to boost clean transportation options in Nevada County.
The new installation features Kempower technology capable of delivering charging speeds of up to 320 kilowatts. The system includes six CCS1 and two NACS ports, allowing compatibility with a wide range of EV models. The hub can provide an 80% charge in about 15 minutes for many vehicles, depending on their battery and charging capabilities.
“This expansion not only increases charging speed and availability but also helps accelerate the transition to electric mobility,” said Johannes Copeland, Chief Operating Officer at Skycharger. Sasha Scott, Sustainability Coordinator at BriarPatch, added that the project reflects the co-op’s commitment to environmental stewardship by supporting reliable access to clean transportation.
Kempower’s Power Cabinet and Satellite dispenser system enables dynamic power distribution, allowing all eight new ports to operate at 150 kW simultaneously or reach up to 320 kW when fewer vehicles are connected. The chargers are integrated with roaming networks and support flexible payment methods including credit cards, digital wallets, and the Monta app.
The project was fully funded by Skycharger, with additional support from the California Energy Commission’s CALeVIP grant program, administered by the Center for Sustainable Energy. Construction was handled by CBR Group, a commercial infrastructure contractor. “We are proud to support this milestone project with our dynamic fast-charging technology,” said Monil Malhotra, President of Kempower North America.