Wallbox, a Spain-based
leading provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging and energy management
solutions worldwide, recently opened its first North American manufacturing
facility in Arlington, Texas.
Having produced some
250,000 units in 2022 and an estimated 1 million in 2030, the
130,000-square-foot factory will manufacture all of the company’s chargers in
the United States. The facility will serve multiple segments of EV charging,
including residential charging, bidirectional charging and hyper-fast highway
corridor charging.
“Today, only 3% of the
chargers required globally for the next decade have been installed, showing the
magnitude of the need for innovative and reliable charging solutions,” said
Enric Asunción, CEO of Wallbox. “Bringing Wallbox’s manufacturing capabilities
to the U.S. significantly bolsters our ability to meet U.S. needs, deliver to
public funding programs and drive the energy transition.”
As part of the factory
opening, Wallbox offered a live demonstration of Hypernova, its hyperfast DC
charging solution that delivers up to 400 kW of charging power, making it ideal
for highway corridors. The charger can add up to 100 miles of range in just
five minutes of charging.
Hypernova was designed
specifically to be deployed throughout long-distance EV corridors, the same as
those defined by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program.
All Hypernova chargers produced in the Arlington facility are expected to meet
Buy America requirements when production begins in 2023.
Hypernova has a
centralized power system that can feed one or multiple dispenser units. The
innovative design allows for a wide variety of configurations that can be
upgraded over time, including the addition of more power modules or dispenser
units to the installation, thereby allowing charging services operators and
fleets to match current and future demand. It offers a seamless user experience
with its compact size, integrated cable management system, interactive lighting
system and sunlight readable touchscreen.
It’s electric
“Hypernova was
specifically designed to bolster public charging infrastructure in the U.S.,”
said Douglas Alfaro, general manager, North America, Wallbox. “It aims to solve
the current deficit in public charging along key U.S. highway corridors and
simplify long-distance traveling for EV drivers. We’re already seeing vehicles
with higher power charging capabilities hit the road that would be looking to
benefit from faster charging from an ultra-fast charger like Hypernova than
what’s being installed today.”
The Arlington facility is
now producing global best-selling smart home EV charger that is compatible with
all EVs. In 2023, the factory is expected to begin the production of Hypernova.
This new facility
complements Wallbox’s existing operations and services in North America,
including its North American headquarters in Mountain View, California, and
warehouses in Burlington, North Carolina, and Bloomington, California. It is
also Wallbox’s fourth manufacturing facility worldwide.
The $70 million project is
expected to double the local workforce over the next twelve months and bring
approximately 250 jobs to the Arlington area by 2025 and approximately 700 by
2030. To further demonstrate its commitment to the local community, Wallbox is
contributing $30,000 to start the Wallbox Endowed Scholarship at Tarrant County
College in Fort Worth, Texas. The scholarship will provide financial aid to a
different TCC student each year, in perpetuity, beginning in 2025.
“Clean energy is the
future, and together, we’re going to lead the world in innovation and we’re
going to make sure all of America sees the benefits,” said Mitch Landrieu,
senior advisor to President Biden and infrastructure coordinator. “Wallbox’s
rapid growth proves that we can do this work while creating good-paying jobs
and growing the economy right here in America.”
“Wallbox is a significant
addition to Arlington’s Great Southwest Industrial District, and we’re thrilled
the company chose our city for its first U.S. manufacturing plant,” said
Arlington Mayor Jim Ross. “Wallbox hasn’t just brought great-paying
manufacturing jobs to our city, they have created jobs that are geared towards
the future of where this country is going. The company is already at work
creating electric vehicle charging units right here in Arlington that will be
shipped across North America.”
The new factory features a
cradle-to-cradle methodology whereby unnecessary waste is eliminated through
design and eco-efficient materials. This approach is part of Wallbox’s
commitment to promote sustainability in all aspects of the business. The
company is committed to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions across its
global footprint by 2030.
To learn more about
Wallbox, visit wallbox.com.
Tags:
Wallbox Spain-based electric vehicle EV charging and energy management solutions worldwide Arlington Texas EV charging including residential charging bidirectional charging hyper-fast highway corridor charging Enric Asunción Hypernova National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program Douglas Alfaro Wallbox Endowed Scholarship Tarrant County College Fort Worth Texas Mitch Landrieu Arlington’s Great Southwest Industrial District Jim Ross Arlington Mayor eco-efficient materials sustainability Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions