On the Dash:
- Southern Company’s pilot program demonstrated that managed charging can reduce energy demand, cutting total charging by 0.5 megawatts during 30-minute demand response events.
- The fleet stayed fully operational while shifting charging to off-peak periods, demonstrating that we can achieve energy savings without disrupting daily operations.
- By combining Ford Pro’s software with real-time vehicle and charger data, the pilot provided valuable insights that can guide future fleet electrification and help other commercial customers optimize EV charging strategies.
Ford Pro and Atlanta-based Southern Company have successfully completed a six-month pilot program focused on managed charging for electric commercial fleets. This initiative demonstrated that charging schedules can be adjusted to lower-cost periods without disrupting operations.
The pilot involved over 200 Ford F-150 Lightning trucks and more than 150 Level 2 AC Ford Pro Chargers across several states. By utilizing Ford Pro Intelligence software, Southern Company monitored charging patterns, energy usage, and vehicle readiness in real time. This provided a comprehensive view of how fleet electrification impacts both operational efficiency and the electric grid.
The program also included strategic demand response tests, which successfully reduced total charging demand by 0.5 megawatts during 30-minute events, averaging approximately 10 kilowatts of savings per charger. The Southern Company successfully maintained operational continuity throughout the pilot, demonstrating that dynamic fleet charging can effectively respond to utility signals while preserving essential uptime.
Beyond immediate energy savings, the pilot provided valuable insights that could inform future commercial EV programs and help utilities advise clients on large-scale electrification. By combining real-time vehicle and charger data with Ford Pro’s software solutions, companies can optimize fleet operations, enhance energy efficiency, and bolster grid reliability.
These results underscore the potential of intelligent charging systems to lower costs for fleet operators while contributing to a more balanced and reliable electric grid. Southern Company’s pilot program demonstrates how commercial EV fleets can seamlessly integrate with utility management systems, ensuring operational readiness and paving the way for the broader adoption of electric fleet technologies.
As electric fleets expand across the U.S., initiatives like this provide valuable lessons that shape best practices, enhance energy savings, and inform policies promoting commercial electrification.
