Electrifying the Fleet

The journey toward fleet electrification is gaining momentum.According to the results of a study by Frost & Sullivan and WEX, a majority of global commercial fleet managers expect to see a significant increase in electric vehicles (EVs) in their fleets over the next five years.Plus, an overwhelming 80 percent of those surveyed set a goal for a 25 percent increase of EVs into their fleet mix by 2030.This rapid progress is good for many reasons.Integrating EVs into fleet operations can reduce emissions, lower operating costs and advance the adoption of sustainable energy solutions. Yet like many worthwhile transitions, it has challenges.EV fleets must work cost-efficiently with optimal uptime under varying operating conditions.Consequently, an EV infrastructure cannot simply be treated as an auxiliary addition to existing operations.Rather than being considered a standalone feature, successful implementation requires a more strategic and holistic approach that integrates electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) into the broader framework of a facility’s infrastructure.This involves not only planning the physical placement of charging stations but ensuring that electrical systems are reliably and efficiently equipped to handle the increased demand.Overcoming barriers Today’s energy landscape is increasingly complex, with growing demands and evolving challenges reshaping how power is generated, distributed and consumed.Projections indicate that the demand for electricity is set to increase between 16 percent and 57 percent by 2050, driven by trends such as electrification, renewable energy adoption and the expansion of data-intensive industries.This growth shows no signs of slowing, raising concerns about how electric grids are equipped to handle the significant load growth that lies ahead. The sheer amount of power required to keep fleets of trucks fully charged and operational around the clock can place immense strain on the system.This issue becomes even more heightened in mission-critical scenarios where consistent and reliable power is not just desirable but essential to avoid disruptions and maintain operational continuity.Without significant upgrades and strategic planning, these challenges could create bottlenecks, undermining the widespread adoption of EVs and threatening the resilience of electrified infrastructure.Investments in grid modernization, advanced energy storage and local power generation solutions will be crucial to meeting these demands. The availability and reliability of the power needed to support electrified fleets can quickly become a primary roadblock for many commercial fleet operators.In addition, most fleet operators have become accustomed to fairly predictable fuel costs, since many take advantage of long-term supply arrangements.By contrast, electricity grid costs can vary and result in unpredictable spikes.This adds an extra layer of complexity when it comes to the planning and timing of fleet charging. As a result, many fleet charging operations are turning to local power generation. Intelligent microgrids Microgrids are not a new concept since rural communities have been relying on them for decades.However, advancements in affordability, shifting regulations and new generator technologies are allowing more of these microgrids to be powered by renewable energy methods. There is a common misconception that microgrids can completely off-set power from the grid.Rather, these solutions are designed to provide peak load shaving and system resiliency.This makes them an ideal solution to provide flexible and reliable energy management for EV infrastructures. When compared to a traditional microgrid for a building system, microgrids for fleet electrification require different considerations.Most notably, microgrids for fleet electrification are not modeled on an existing load, but rather anticipated demand, which can make reliable load-based modeling more difficult.However, an "intelligent" microgrid uses control systems to manage, store, charge and discharge energy across the system.These controls monitor supply and demand, track real-time electricity prices and create efficient charging schedules, considering factors like time of use (TOU) and peak day rates.For example, when electric fleets plug in, demand may increase significantly overnight, making strategic energy management crucial. This type of system can buy power from the grid during low-cost periods while storing self-generated solar power for later use.When prices rise, it discharges stored energy, keeping costs stable.It can also operate independently, ensuring continuous power during outages and disruptions, improving efficiency, cost control and reliability.Conversely, fleets often permit charging flexibility within defined boundaries, providing a unique dispatchable resource that can be tuned to fit the needs and energy resources of the customer. Linear generators: A new category of local power generation Linear generator technology is proving to be an innovative solution for EV infrastructures by providing flexible, resilient and cost-effective on-site base load power. Linear generator technology provides fuel-flexibility, meaning they can directly run and switch among traditional fuels like natural gas or propane.Or they can use low and zero-carbon fuels such as RNG, biogas, hydrogen and ammonia.Its backup capabilities ensure power through hurricanes, sub-zero snowstorms, excessive heat and other extreme conditions.Based on capex and operating costs, linear generators can provide a competitive levelized cost of ownership compared to grid power or other alternatives in certain regions. Technology can also be quickly deployed at scale, which is ideal for fleet operators looking to quickly and cost-effectively deploy resilient EV charging infrastructures while reducing emissions and working toward net-zero goals.Furthermore, linear generators deliver a more future-proof path.While the dominant sources of fuel for local power generation today are well understood, new and exciting fuels are on the horizon.These solutions allow for flexibility and integration of new fuels as they become available, all without having to replace or retrofit existing equipment. One of the standout features of these generators is their ability to run on a range of fuels, both traditional and renewable.This includes highly sustainable fuels like biogas, hydrogen and ammonia, as well as more conventional fuels like natural gas and propane.For businesses and building operators, this flexibility provides an important advantage: Energy security: Operators are empowered to maintain a consistent and reliable energy supply by leveraging diverse fuel options.In situations where one fuel source might be scarce or cost-prohibitive, they can seamlessly switch to an alternative, ensuring uninterrupted operations even during supply chain disruptions or price fluctuations.Environmental benefits: By incorporating renewable or zero-carbon fuels such as biogas or hydrogen, operators can take meaningful steps toward reducing their overall carbon footprint.These fuels help fleet and facility managers meet stringent environmental regulations, enhance corporate sustainability efforts and contribute to global decarbonization goals.Cost management: The ability to choose fuels based on current market conditions and local availability can lead to significant cost savings.Businesses can optimize their energy expenditures by selecting the most economical fuel option at any given time, balancing operational needs with financial constraints.This multifuel capability positions these generators as a game-changing solution for organizations aiming to enhance resilience, achieve sustainability benchmarks and remain cost-effective in today’s dynamic energy landscape.Whether it is supporting mission-critical operations, cutting greenhouse gas emissions or managing energy budgets, these generators provide the adaptability and efficiency needed to thrive in an evolving energy ecosystem. Outsourcing benefits Outsourcing fleet electrification can provide access to expert guidance and cutting-edge solutions, ensuring a smoother transition to electric vehicles without burdening internal teams.It is about navigating the intersection of evolving technology, power requirements and operations that impact successful EV charging infrastructure.Specialized partners can handle infrastructure upgrades, energy management and vehicle integration.This approach allows companies to focus on their core operations while benefiting from cost efficiencies, reduced downtime and compliance with evolving environmental regulations.Additionally, outsourcing partners often bring advanced technologies and scalable strategies, enabling businesses to future-proof their fleets and achieve sustainability goals more effectively.While it can be tempting to bid out EV projects to individual subcontractors to chase cost savings, this approach can lead to systemic issues like cost overruns and poor reliability.Often, a more integrated approach bringing design, equipment procurement and implementation together can create a better electrification program from the start.There are also government funding programs for electric fleets.An experienced partner can help navigate the complex process to access the greatest number of incentives and rebates with the simplest path forward.Being armed with the right research, expectations and questions during the selection process can help determine the best fit team for both the facility and its occupants.Consider KPIs such as maintenance logs, preventive maintenance schedules and account governance when entering (or reentering) the outsourcing conversation.Metrics that can be measured and people that can be counted on will make the outsourcing experience worthwhile.

Brad Tolbert is Vice President of Sales – Mission Critical, Electrical Power Solutions, eMobility at ABM. He began his career at ABM overseeing mission critical solutions, later adding electrical power, then eMobility to his portfolio. Prior to ABM, Tolbert was director of sales for MPW Industrial Services, and he was an urban specialist for the Fairfield Soil & Water Conservation District. Tolbert holds a Bachelor of Science in agricultural business and applied economics from the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Ohio State University.

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