Ford Pro is showing how firms can adopt EVs

MANILA: Ford Pro is helping its customers transition to electric vehicles. The carmaker's commercial vehicle arm is bundling vehicles with charging solutions and telematics software that act as a one-stop shop for businesses to accelerate their productivity.

According to a Ford Pro US survey on fleet purchasing decision makers, nearly three-quarters of these commercial customers from small businesses to large fleets feel the pressing need to adopt electric vehicles. More than 60% are considering to use electric vehicles within two years.

The Ford Pro survey also reveals more than 50% of commercial customers think that infrastructure setup is a top concern in transitioning to electric.

With Ford Pro Charging, businesses large and small can potentially reduce operating costs by making use of the best time to charge vehicles, in addition to Ford Pro's consulting services to help businesses plan, install, and maintain charging services based upon their individual needs.

Today, the list of progressive companies adopting to EVs via Ford Pro grows again as the company sees two new collaborations. 

Wilbur-Ellis, a global distribution leader in sustainable agriculture products and consulting, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), California’s leading electricity provider serving northern and central California, are revealing plans to add Ford battery electric trucks and vans, Ford Pro Charging solutions, charging software, and Ford Pro E-Telematics to their fleets.

Wilbur-Ellis plans to add F-150 Lightning Pro trucks, Ford Pro Charging  solutions, charging software and in-vehicle telematics into its fleet in Sonoma County and the Salinas Valley of California.

As it aims to meet its new sustainability goals, the company will integrate 10 battery electric trucks initially, while learning to utilize energy solutions alongside Dutton Ranch. The latter is a longtime Wilbur-Ellis customer and is also testing Ford Pro vehicles, charging, and software in real-world farming conditions as part of a pilot program with the Sonoma County Winegrowers. 

PG&E is continuing its ongoing electric vehicle collaboration with Ford, announced in March. Now, the company using Ford Pro to add charging hardware and software solutions to select F-150 Lightning Pro trucks into PG&E's California fleet.

The company will begin testing energy management improvements using Ford’s vehicle-to-grid technology. As part of this initiative, PG&E will integrate the electric vehicles into its fleet operations alongside Ford Pro charging stations. PG&E will also explore enhancing the F-150 Lightning Pro batteries in order to reduce peak energy usage at one of its depot locations. 

Ford Pro and Sonoma County Winegrowers had also inked a partnership. The collaboration is designed to create a blueprint for how industries and companies can best adopt and manage battery electric vehicles in sustainable fleet operations using Ford Pro products and services. Ford Pro Telematics have been included into farmers’ existing gas fleets as part of the collaboration. 

Ford Pro is also helping US government agencies and businesses in EV fleet management, as well as collaborating with United Rentals, Penske Truck Leasing and Sunbelt Rentals. 

Photos from Ford

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