Ford Pro is expanding its offering of its Smart Charging Bundle, opening up availability to public sector fleets in California. It will allow fleets navigating CARB's Advanced Clean Fleets regulation to lean on the automaker for charging solutions.
Navigating Charging Complexities Remotely
The Smart Charging Bundle, which debuted to Massachusetts fleets, offers a complimentary Ford Pro Level 2 48-amp charger or a Level 2 80-amp charger for depot and workplace charging to government fleets subscribed to Ford Pro Charging software.
The new automated demand-to-grid response solution in Ford Pro’s Charging Software reacts to grid events in California such as high local demand by automatically pausing charging, alerting the customer, and resuming charging when the event is over.
This can help reduce the burden on the grid and reduce the risk of brownouts and blackouts for a more resilient power system.
"It's really important if you're going EV that you know the grid is reliable. Customers can feel even more secure knowing that someone like Ford is in position to help both the grid and the actual fleet themselves," Ford Pro Charging Business Development Director Aaron Schneider said.
Ford Pro will manage the enrollment process for customers in California grid demand response programs that manage grid capacity, energy programs, and emergency load programs as well as the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) carbon credits program.
California government fleets are in the early stages of adopting CARB's ACF regulation, which requires that state and local agencies must ensure 50% of vehicle purchases for vehicles over over 8,500 GVWR are zero-emission beginning in 2024, and 100% beginning in 2027.
“California is an EV pioneer, and new regulations aim to accelerate businesses’ electric transition,” Ford Pro CEO Ted Cannis said. “We’re here to do the heavy lifting and help companies navigate the complexities of electrification, helping them be more productive and efficient as they add EVs to their fleet. Our smart charging software helps businesses effectively manage their charging operations, including scheduled charging to avoid peak periods when electricity is in high demand at high rates and automated participation in grid events.”
Public Sector Fleets Working Through EV Planning and Adoption
Ford Pro is working alongside public sector fleets looking to curb emissions, by offering EVs and EV charging solutions.
In the city of Boston, the fleet team has been experimenting with EVs since 2014. The city began by adding a Ford Focus EV to its motor pool program to track data from a diverse pool of drivers.
Early on, the team had to navigate range anxiety, as well as planning trips around charging times. Now, drivers are better educated. The city also has a number of DC fast chargers, which can help eliminate those concerns.
The more the city exposes its fleet drivers to EVs, the more fleet drivers are willing to trust the technology.
"The biggest win is just the EV selling itself now through all our fleets. In the beginning, people gave us pushback. And now that they see them in the fleet, they see them working and people are asking, 'hey when can I get an electric vehicle?' It seems like it's just promoting itself," Boston Director of Central Fleet said.
Currently, the city has around 60 EVs on its fleet.
"The scale and requirements these folks have in terms of moving from ICE to EV is a pretty big deal, which is why we’re investing so many resources not just on the vehicles but also on charging so they’re ready to go," Schneider added.
