Ford Pro, Ford's commercial division, unveiled the Ford Pro Smart Charging Bundle to assist Massachusetts businesses with adding electric vehicles to their fleet operations and reducing associated upfront and ongoing charging costs.

The Ford Pro Smart Charging Bundle offers a free Ford Pro 48-amp charger for home or worksite charging or an 80-amp charger for worksite charging to Ford Pro Charging software fleet subscribers enrolled in the Clean Peak Energy Standard (CPS), a program established by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) in 2020.

The CPS is designed to lower emissions and costs associated with seasonal periods of peak electricity demand by encouraging the use of clean energy technologies that can supply or reduce demand during peak periods.

Although Massachusetts is the first state with this offering, a Ford Pro spokesperson told Automotive Fleet that there are plans to roll out the program in additional markets.

"We selected Massachusetts because their CPS is closely aligned with our objectives to help customers save on energy costs by avoiding higher energy rates and helping utility companies manage energy loads effectively to maintain a clean and resilient grid," the spokesperson said. 

"Clean energy technologies like energy storage and demand response resources, when used during peak electricity demand, lower the likelihood that we need to call on expensive fossil fuels," Elizabeth Mahony, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources commissioner, said. "Through its Clean Peak Energy Standard, DOER believes these technologies can reduce costs for ratepayers, lower Massachusetts' emissions, and create a more resilient electric grid. Ford Pro's Smart Charging Bundle is now among the tools to help Massachusetts shift to a clean energy portfolio and achieve net zero emissions in 2050."

Supporting Fleet Charging Infrastructure

Ford Pro Charging has over 1,000 commercial worksite depots that power up fleet EVs and offers EV consulting and a portfolio of integrated charging hardware and software.

The software monitors millions of data points daily to improve commercial fleets' EV charging experience, allowing businesses to customize and manage their EV and charger performance. Fleets with electric vehicles are estimated to have operating costs that are 48% lower or more in fuel and maintenance costs.

Fleets charging Ford electric vehicles could save hundreds of dollars per vehicle per year by leveraging smart charging software to schedule charging during off-peak hours, according to Ford.

Additionally, demand response, which curtails EV charging during peak times, is one strategy to manage evolving energy loads.

"Our team is focused on easing the transition to electric for business and government customers," Ford Pro CEO Ted Cannis said. "Through this program, Ford Pro customers essentially get their own virtual 'charging manager,' as we will do the heavy lifting such as providing no-cost charging hardware, managing the charging schedule, avoiding peak rates, and ensuring business EVs are powered up appropriately to get work done."