Introduction

Electric vehicle charging infrastructure advances on multiple fronts this week with major announcements in energy storage, battery technology, and public funding. XCharge and Energy Plus revealed plans for one of the largest battery-backed EV charging depots in the United States, located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with 9.46 MWh of energy storage serving 88 parking spaces slated for Q2 2026. Donut Lab unveiled what the company calls the world's first production-ready solid-state battery at CES 2026, featuring five-minute charging capability and 100,000-cycle lifespan, with Verge Motorcycles deploying vehicles powered by these cells in Q1 2026. ProLogium marked its 20th anniversary at CES 2026 by showcasing its proprietary Superfluidized All-Inorganic Solid-State Lithium Ceramic Battery technology. The California Energy Commission announced $79 million in available grants for DC fast charger deployments along major corridors, with applications due March 25, 2026. Honda and Sony provided updates on their Afeela electric vehicle program, with California deliveries beginning late 2026 followed by an SUV variant. At Shaffer Construction, Inc., we help Los Angeles property owners implement advanced charging solutions through expert commercial EV charger installations and residential charging systems. Here are this week's most significant developments.

XCharge and Energy Plus Build Brooklyn's Largest Battery-Backed Charging Depot

XCharge and Energy Plus announced plans to build one of the largest battery-backed EV charging depots in the United States in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, slated to go live in Q2 2026. The facility will feature 44 XCharge NA GridLink units providing 9.46 MWh of energy storage and serving 88 parking spaces once complete. The project represents a significant deployment of battery-integrated charging infrastructure designed to minimize grid impact while delivering high-power charging capability. Source: Electric Cars Report.

Battery-backed charging systems offer several advantages over conventional grid-connected installations. The integrated energy storage allows charging stations to draw power from the grid during off-peak hours when electricity costs less and grid capacity is abundant, then deliver that stored energy to vehicles during peak demand periods. This approach reduces demand charges, minimizes strain on local electrical infrastructure, and can provide backup power during grid outages. The XCharge NA GridLink system enables deployment of high-power charging in locations where grid capacity might otherwise limit installation. Source: Electric Cars Report.

For Los Angeles commercial property owners considering fleet charging or high-utilization public charging installations, battery-backed systems present an alternative to costly electrical service upgrades. As we discussed in our coverage of ElectricFish's gas station charging platform, battery-integrated charging can reduce installation timelines from 12 to 18 months down to just weeks by dramatically lowering electrical infrastructure requirements.

Donut Lab Unveils Production-Ready Solid-State Battery with Five-Minute Charging

Donut Lab unveiled what the company calls the world's first production-ready solid-state EV battery at CES 2026, featuring full recharge capability in just five minutes. The Finnish company's battery delivers energy density of 400 Wh per kg and a design life of up to 100,000 cycles with minimal capacity fade over time. To demonstrate production readiness, Verge Motorcycles will roll out bikes powered by these cells in Q1 2026, marking the first commercial deployment of all-solid-state batteries in production vehicles. Source: Autoblog.

Solid-state batteries replace the liquid electrolyte found in conventional lithium-ion batteries with a solid ceramic or polymer electrolyte. This architecture offers several advantages including higher energy density, improved safety due to elimination of flammable liquid electrolyte, faster charging capability, and significantly longer cycle life. The 100,000-cycle lifespan represents a dramatic improvement over conventional lithium-ion batteries which typically support 1,000 to 3,000 cycles before meaningful capacity degradation. Source: InsideEVs.

While Verge Motorcycles represents the first deployment, major automakers are watching closely. Japanese automakers including Toyota, Nissan, and Honda aim to introduce solid-state batteries around 2028, with mass production closer toward the end of the decade. Chinese battery giants CATL and BYD target small-scale production around 2027. The five-minute charging capability addresses one of the primary barriers to EV adoption and could transform charging infrastructure requirements once the technology reaches automotive scale. Source: Donut Lab.

ProLogium Showcases Superfluidized Solid-State Battery Technology at CES 2026

ProLogium, a global leader in next-generation lithium ceramic battery technology, marked its 20th anniversary at CES 2026 by unveiling its proprietary Superfluidized All-Inorganic Solid-State Lithium Ceramic Battery technology. The company demonstrated breakthrough results from testing its advanced solid-state battery cells designed for automotive applications. ProLogium's technology features all-inorganic ceramic electrolyte material combined with proprietary manufacturing processes that enable high-volume production. Source: PR Newswire.

The timing of these announcements from both Donut Lab and ProLogium at CES 2026 suggests that solid-state battery technology is transitioning from laboratory curiosity to commercial reality. While automotive applications will take several more years to reach mass production, the technology promises to fundamentally change the charging infrastructure equation. As we covered in our analysis of ChargePoint's 600-kilowatt chargers, charging hardware continues advancing rapidly, and solid-state batteries will enable vehicles to actually utilize these ultra-high charging speeds. Source: EV Infrastructure News.

China's National Automotive Standardization Technical Committee recently released the country's first national standard for solid-state EV batteries, titled Solid-State Battery for Electric Vehicle Part 1 Terms and Classification, now open for public discussion. This regulatory framework development indicates that multiple stakeholders expect commercial solid-state battery deployment within the next few years. Source: Electrek.

California Announces $79 Million in NEVI Grants for DC Fast Charger Deployments

The California Energy Commission announced on January 6, 2026, the availability of $79 million in grant funds for projects that will strategically deploy electric vehicle charging stations with publicly accessible, high-powered direct current fast chargers to support light-duty EV travel along major corridors as required under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure formula program. Applications are due March 25, 2026. The solicitation is open to all private entities, excluding investor-owned utilities, and is also open to California Tribal Organizations serving California Native American Tribes. Source: Funds for NGOs.

This funding represents a portion of the $384 million California will receive from the NEVI program over five years under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. The program focuses on filling gaps in DC fast charging coverage along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, with specific requirements for station spacing, power levels, number of ports, and uptime guarantees. Previous NEVI funding rounds have supported charging infrastructure deployments throughout California, contributing to the state's position as the leading EV market in the United States. Source: California Energy Commission.

For Los Angeles businesses considering public charging installations, NEVI grants can offset a significant portion of project costs. However, NEVI funding comes with specific requirements regarding location, equipment specifications, and ongoing operations. Shaffer Construction works with property owners to evaluate whether NEVI or other grant programs align with project goals, and can manage the technical requirements through comprehensive electrical load studies and compliant installation practices. The March 25, 2026, deadline creates urgency for interested applicants to begin site assessment and preliminary engineering work.

Honda and Sony Detail Afeela Electric Vehicle Roadmap

Sony Honda Mobility provided updates on its Afeela electric vehicle program, with the Afeela 1 sedan scheduled for California deliveries beginning late 2026. The vehicle is currently available to reserve starting at $89,900, including a three-year complimentary subscription. Following the sedan launch, the company plans to introduce an SUV variant to expand market reach. The Afeela represents a unique collaboration between Sony's entertainment and technology expertise and Honda's automotive manufacturing capability. Source: Electrek.

Sony Honda Mobility recently announced that the Afeela will be the first vehicle ever to offer PlayStation Remote Play, allowing streaming of PS4 or PS5 games from consoles remotely while inside the car. This integration of gaming, entertainment, and transportation technology signals how EVs are becoming comprehensive technology platforms rather than simple vehicles. The vehicle features extensive driver assistance capabilities and connectivity features that require the three-year subscription included with purchase. Source: Electrek.

With California as the initial launch market, Los Angeles property owners may be among the first to encounter Afeela drivers seeking charging access. The vehicle's premium positioning suggests buyers who expect convenient charging options at their residences and destinations. As we noted in our coverage of the Afeela 1 pre-production unveiling at CES 2026, these technology-forward vehicles represent the direction of the premium EV segment, with charging infrastructure serving as essential supporting infrastructure.

What These Developments Mean for Los Angeles Property Owners

This week's announcements demonstrate that EV charging infrastructure and battery technology continue advancing rapidly on multiple fronts. XCharge's Brooklyn depot shows how battery-integrated charging enables high-power installations without proportional grid upgrades, a solution directly applicable to Los Angeles commercial properties facing electrical capacity constraints. Donut Lab's production-ready solid-state battery with five-minute charging capability and ProLogium's technology demonstrations signal that dramatically faster charging is moving from concept to reality, which will influence long-term infrastructure planning.

California's $79 million NEVI grant solicitation creates immediate opportunities for businesses to deploy DC fast charging along major corridors with substantial state funding support. The March 25, 2026, deadline requires interested parties to move quickly through site assessment, preliminary engineering, and application preparation. Honda and Sony's Afeela program adds another premium EV option to California's market, reinforcing that Los Angeles properties with charging capabilities will be better positioned to serve residents, employees, and customers.

The convergence of better batteries, smarter charging hardware, expanded public funding, and growing vehicle selection creates favorable conditions for charging infrastructure investments. Property owners who act before the June 30, 2026, federal charger tax credit deadline can maximize available incentives while establishing charging capabilities that will serve an expanding EV population for years to come.

Conclusion

XCharge and Energy Plus announced plans for one of the largest battery-backed EV charging depots in the United States, featuring 9.46 MWh of energy storage serving 88 parking spaces in Brooklyn with completion targeted for Q2 2026. Donut Lab unveiled the world's first production-ready solid-state battery delivering five-minute charging and 100,000-cycle lifespan, with Verge Motorcycles deploying vehicles in Q1 2026. ProLogium showcased its Superfluidized All-Inorganic Solid-State Lithium Ceramic Battery technology at CES 2026. California announced $79 million in NEVI grants for DC fast charger deployments with applications due March 25, 2026. Honda and Sony detailed the Afeela electric vehicle roadmap with California deliveries beginning late 2026 followed by an SUV variant. For Los Angeles property owners, these developments highlight the rapid pace of charging infrastructure and battery technology advancement, making this an opportune time to implement charging capabilities before the June 30, 2026, federal tax credit deadline.

Ready to explore EV charging options for your Los Angeles property? Contact Shaffer Construction, Inc. for a complimentary site assessment and expert guidance on selecting the right charging solution for your needs.

Shaffer Construction, Inc.
325 N Larchmont Blvd. #202
Los Angeles, CA 90004
Phone: (323) 642-8509
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.shaffercon.com