Lincoln Electric launches innovative Velion EV charger and new production center

Posted by: Laura DeMarco / Video by Megan Roth on Wednesday, November 29, 2023

The Velion is the first and only American-designed and made EV charger that exceeds federal requirements

Lincoln Electric is powering the future of transportation.

On Wednesday, November 29, the Euclid-based corporation held a ribbon cutting ceremony that celebrated the launch of its new Velion™ 150kW DC electric vehicle fast charger and new production center.

“The Velion charger builds on Lincoln Electric and Greater Cleveland’s legacy and leadership in innovation and manufacturing,” declared Chris Mapes, Chairman, President & CEO, Lincoln Electric.

The Velion is the first and only American-designed and made EV charger that not only meets, but exceeds, the requirements of the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI).

The innovative fast charger calls upon Lincoln Electric’s 125-plus years’ experience manufacturing industrial-grade, high power electronic equipment.

Lincoln Electrtic, with its international headquarters in Euclid, has 44 manufacturing locations, including operations and joint ventures in 19 countries, and does business in more than 160 countries. The company has 8,500 employees globally, with more than 3,000 in the United States.

The Velion is engineered for durability across a wide range of harsh outdoor operating conditions including a temperature range of -31° F to 122° F, with 97%+ uptime and 95% charging efficiency. This exceeds NEVI’s 75% domestic content 2026 target.

One charger can be produced every 24 minutes in their new facility.

In attendance at Wednesday’s event were Steve Hedlund, COO, Lincoln Electric (to be promoted to President & CEO January 1, 2024); Sarah Hipel, Standards and Reliability Program Manager at the U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation; Lt. Governor Jon Husted; Euclid Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail; Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb; and a representative from the Office of Senator Sherrod Brown.

Mayor Holzheimer Gail spoke to the benefit to the Velion to Euclid. “Lincoln Electric is our largest employer and a leader in innovation and sustainability,” she said. “We see this inspiring the rest of our manufacturing base.”

The Lt. Governor spoke of the Velion and Lincoln Electric’s importance to the whole state. “The auto industry is so important to Ohio,” he noted. Ohio is well positioned for today, he concluded, and for “where we are going to go.”