AVANGRID, a leading sustainable energy company, this week (Sept 1) launched the EV Fleet Management Challenge in collaboration with Iberdrola and PERSEO, Iberdrola's venture capital fund. AVANGRID and its partners are seeking proposals for an online interactive tool that fleet owners can use to understand the feasibility, costs and benefits of converting to an electric fleet.

Individuals and entities are invited to submit their digital solution proposals to the Challenge here. The application period is September 1-30.

The proposed solution will be used by fleet operators and should allow operators to enter fleet operating characteristics to provide individualized EV fleet assessments including:

• Identification of replacement electric vehicles
• EV charging location feasibility analysis
• Cost analysis include fuel, charging stations, operations and maintenance
• Charging infrastructure analysis
• Incentives and tax credits
• Greenhouse gas emissions analysis

The proposals should consider location-specific solutions for AVANGRID electric companies: New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG), Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E), United Illuminating (UI) and Central Maine Power (CMP).

All proposals will be analyzed based on criteria of scalability, robustness, ease of implementation and usability by AVANGRID. The winner of the challenge may gain an opportunity to sign a collaboration agreement and implement a pilot with AVANGRID and/or Iberdrola, add their solutions to Iberdrola's service territory and companies within the group, scale their solution through commercial agreements facilitated by Iberdrola, or possibly receive an opportunity for investment by PERSEO.

"Electrification of the transportation sector is a key strategy for AVANGRID and our commitment to achieving long-term climate goals," said Scott Bochenek, AVANGRID program director of smart grids innovation. "We want to leverage the latest technology and tools to help our customers electrify their fleet and reduce their emissions. Decarbonization of the sector through electrification is an absolute necessity to achieve emissions goals."

AVANGRID actively supports vehicle electrification through its EV Charger Make-Ready programs, with a goal of supporting more than 13,000 new chargers by 2025. Additionally, AVANGRID aims to convert 60% of its own fleet, including all its light-duty fleet of vehicles, to electric and other clean fuel alternatives by 2030.

With gas and electric companies throughout the Northeast, including New York, Maine, and Connecticut, AVANGRID has established industry-leading goals to reduce emissions and make a significant impact on climate change. Currently, the transportation sector contributes a significant portion of total emissions in these states.

Electric alternatives for medium and heavy-duty vehicles are expected to reach parity with internal combustion engine equivalents on acquisition costs and savings from a total cost of ownership perspective, and AVANGRID is working to facilitate this transition for customers by providing insight and information on electrical infrastructure capacity, potential upgrade costs and expected electricity costs.

Source: AVANGRID