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BriarPatch Food Co-op and Skycharger have completed a major expansion of the electric vehicle (EV) charging hub at the co-op’s Grass Valley location. This project significantly increases fast-charging availability for the region, supporting Nevada County’s transition to clean transportation for local and visiting EV drivers.
Key Highlights
- The EV charging hub has expanded from two to ten DC fast-charging ports.
- New Kempower technology delivers charging speeds of up to 320 kilowatts (kW).
- The station now includes six new CCS1 ports and two new NACS ports.
- The project was a partnership between BriarPatch Food Co-op and Skycharger.
Enhanced Charging Capabilities
The expansion has dramatically improved the charging infrastructure at the BriarPatch Food Co-op. The new hub is equipped with advanced technology from Kempower, enabling many vehicles to reach an 80% charge in approximately 15 minutes, depending on the vehicle’s specific battery and charging rate. The inclusion of both CCS1 and NACS charging standards ensures compatibility with a wide range of electric vehicles.
Kempower’s hardware features a Power Cabinet and Satellite dispenser system that dynamically distributes power. This allows all eight new ports to charge simultaneously at 150 kW or deliver a peak output of 320 kW when fewer vehicles are connected. The chargers integrate with existing EV networks through roaming and offer flexible payment options, including tap-to-pay credit cards, electronic wallets, and the Monta App.
A Commitment to Sustainability
This project reflects BriarPatch Food Co-op’s long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship. Sasha Scott, Sustainability Coordinator at BriarPatch, stated that expanding the EV infrastructure is another way the co-op supports a cleaner future for the community. The partnership with Skycharger ensures reliable access to fast charging for all EV drivers.
Skycharger, which develops, owns, and operates EV charging infrastructure, views the expansion as a key step in meeting the rising demand for public charging. “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. He noted that BriarPatch’s leadership in sustainability aligns with Skycharger’s mission to build a cleaner transportation ecosystem.
Project Funding and Partnerships
The expansion was fully funded by Skycharger, with additional support from a CALeVIP grant. The grant is funded by the California Energy Commission and administered by the Center for Sustainable Energy.
The project was constructed by CBR Group, a general contracting firm specializing in commercial and infrastructure projects. Copeland noted that CBR Group was an invaluable and flexible partner, ensuring a smooth development process. Monil Malhotra, President of Kempower North America, added that the company is proud to support the milestone project with its dynamic fast-charging technology.
About BriarPatch Food Co-op
BriarPatch Food Co-op is a neighborly grocery store serving up local, high-quality, healthy food and supporting the Sierra Foothills community since 1976. Learn more at briarpatch.coop.
About Skycharger
Skycharger, a wholly owned subsidiary of Skyview Ventures, owns and operates a growing network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Established in 2013, the company operates charging stations for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles across seven states. Learn more at skycharger.com.
About Kempower
Kempower designs and manufactures reliable and user-friendly DC fast-charging solutions for electric vehicles. Its product development and production are based in Finland and the U.S. Learn more at kempower.com.
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