Ford Pro recently introduced the new Smart Charging Bundle to help make it easier for businesses to add electric vehicles to their fleet.
Ford Pro recently hosted a panel discussion focusing on the adoption of EVs and their integration into fleets, as well as the challenges therein. Aaron Schneider, Business Development Director for Ford Pro, the company’s commercial division, was joined by managers of large fleets to learn more about how their respective entities are making use of Ford Pro vehicles and services.
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Ford Pro hosted a panel discussion about EV adoption and integration into fleets, including challenges that may arise, including charging.
The nearly hour-long virtual discussion was moderated by John Hitch, editor-in-chief of Fleet Maintenance magazine, and included a Q&A with media members in attendance. Schneider and Hitch were joined by Kirk Shields, director of development for Green Mountain Power in Vermont, and Robert Pardo, director of central fleet for the City of Boston.
Helping customers make the change
During the discussion, Schneider introduced Ford Pro’s new Smart Charging Bundle, which is intended to help make it easier for businesses to add electric vehicles to their fleet by reducing charging costs and alleviating strain on the electrical grid. The bundle includes a complimentary Ford Pro Level 2 EV charger for businesses subscribed to Ford Pro Charging software, automated reporting and carbon-credit management. California, one of the country’s largest markets for commercial fleets, is the latest state to access the program, which is estimated to save customers nearly 50% in total cost of ownership, due mostly to lower fuel and maintenance costs. The team launched the bundle in Massachusetts last month and plans to expand to more markets.
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Ford Pro’s new Smart Charging Bundle is now offered to customers in California and is expected to expand to include more states and regions.
“Customers today are under tremendous pressure to add electric vehicles into their fleets, especially in California, and the costs can be a real challenge, so we’ve created this opportunity where we can do all of the heavy lifting and our customers don’t have to worry about a thing,” said Schneider, noting that Ford Pro has the ability to pause customers’ charging in the instance of a grid event such as high local demand. “We want to enable our customers to reduce their demands on the grid and we’re confident by doing that the grid will be in better condition and their vehicles will still be powered up to support their business needs.”
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With the bundle, Ford Pro will be able to pause charging in the occurrence of a grid event, which will ultimately help preserve the electrical distribution system.
Future of EVs in fleets
When it comes to EV adoption, the panelists envisioned a future where improved batteries could result in larger electric vehicles being included in fleets, such as line trucks for utility use. Pardo noted his team’s use of EVs, which began a decade ago with a Ford Focus EV and other smaller vehicles, has led other city departments to request their own all-electric vehicles. Schneider added that Ford Pro is committed to supporting its customers through their EV journeys.
Having partnered with Ford Pro, Shields and Green Mountain Power boast a fleet full of more than 50 F-150 Lightning pickups and Mustang Mach-E SUVs. The company is hoping to fully transition to an all-electric fleet within the next five years.
Click here to read more about the Ford Pro Smart Charging Bundle.
