Transforming Fleet Electrification: Ford Pro and Xcel Energy's 30x30 Initiative

In a briefing led by David Prusinski, Chief Revenue Officer and General Manager of Integrated Services at Ford Pro, and Amanda Rome, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer of Xcel Energy, an announcement was made about a collaboration aimed at simplifying the electrification journey for businesses transitioning their fleets to electric vehicles (EVs). Ford Pro, the commercial division of Ford Motor Company, acknowledges the complexity businesses face in adopting EVs and emphasizes the need for convenient charging options rather than addressing the commonly discussed issue of range anxiety.

Prusinski said at the briefing, “We've heard a lot of conversations, but for most of our fleets that we service today and the commercial fleet managers that we speak with, their biggest concern isn't range anxiety. It's the lack of convenient charging options. Fleet operators expect to charge for private charging stations about 80% of the time.” To address this concern, Ford Pro is joining forces with Xcel Energy, a national leader in clean energy, to launch the "30x30" initiative. This ambitious collaboration aims to install 30,000 electric vehicle charging ports for businesses by 2030.

Starting in 2024, the 30x30 initiative will be available through Xcel Energy’s EV Supply Infrastructure (EVSI) program in Colorado and Wisconsin. The program will seek opportunities for expansion in future states within Xcel Energy’s service territories over the next six years, pending regulatory approvals, including Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas.

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How 30x30 initiative operates

Both companies will facilitate businesses in acquiring and supporting EV charging. Conditional upon program criteria, Xcel Energy will install charging infrastructure for eligible business customers enrolled in an approved EVSI program at their service location, with significant upfront cost coverage. Complementing this, Ford Pro will supply Ford Pro Charging equipment and offer post-installation customer service and support.

Rome said: “This really marks the very first time that a vehicle manufacturer and a utility provider are teaming up to provide EV charging solutions to businesses at little or no cost to them. So, under this program, qualified Xcel Energy business customers will have the upfront cost of EV charging infrastructure and installation offset by Xcel Energy's program. In fact, Xcel Energy will cover most costs relating to charging infrastructure installation and maintenance services for fleet customers.”

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This financial support is expected to alleviate a significant barrier to EV adoption for businesses—high costs associated with charging infrastructure. Ford Pro has an extensive public charging network with approximately 106,000 chargers, and with this collaboration, is extending its commitment by making chargers accessible for businesses of all sizes. Additionally, Ford Pro offers its innovative charging software and telematics platform that has the potential to optimize EV charging, increase uptime, and potentially lower operational costs for businesses. Prusinski said that a key aspect of this collaboration is that it is really focused on depot charging fleets where the charging takes place all in one area.

Rome also emphasized the importance of this collaboration in supporting the clean energy transition. According to Rome, Xcel Energy aims to enable one out of every five vehicles in the areas they serve to be electric by 2030, contributing to its broader goal of being a net-zero energy provider by 2050.

By addressing the critical challenge of convenient charging options for fleets, the "30x30" initiative aims to install 30,000 electric vehicle charging ports by 2030, easing the financial burden for businesses. This pioneering partnership, bridging a vehicle manufacturer and a utility provider, signals a transformative step towards a cleaner energy future and a more accessible electrification journey for businesses of all sizes.