The electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure boom isn’t something you need to be on the lookout for anymore; it’s already happening. Las Vegas demonstrated this as the host location for the EV Charging Summit & Expo, one of the most important annual gatherings in the clean energy industry.
This event brought together fleet managers, technology innovators, infrastructure developers, investors, and government representatives under one roof. The EV Charging Summit & Expo captured the entire momentum of an industry moving quickly and definitively toward establishing EV infrastructure.
Shepherd Strategies took this opportunity to lead the way by participating as a panel member and an event sponsor. We came to this Event with a clear message: Government funding for EV infrastructure exists; it’s available, and we help get our clients the funding they require.
The variety of attendees at the EV Summit & Expo is unmatched in the clean energy industry. Industry professionals, private-sector investors, fleet service providers, reliable power suppliers, and government officials from across the United States will attend the Summit to share knowledge, build relationships, and chart new directions for electrified transportation nationwide.
Las Vegas was a perfect venue for an industry that embodies the same high degree of excitement as this city does! Shepherd proudly contributed to and was proud to be a part of this very important event!
One panel discussion, titled “Reducing TCO: The Business Case for Long-Term Electrification Investment,” was led by Matthew Wade, Deputy Director of Virginia Clean Cities, and featured Jason Samuelian of Espen Technology, Anthony De Vito of ChargeTronix, David Sneed of Penske Energy, and Jessica Tocco of Shepherd Strategies.
There is a much greater financial benefit to switching to an electric fleet than many people think. For example, electric school buses can offer savings of approximately 30% in total life-cycle maintenance costs per bus. Furthermore, if an organization uses an external fleet management program to procure vehicles, it can save up to $2,000 per vehicle. Beyond just saving money, adopting electric fleets creates energy independence and offers a more diverse mix of resources — a common fiscal priority across the political spectrum.
The panelists explained that TCO should not be calculated solely from a few O&M costs and/or network uptime (e.g., overtime) but should instead account for all aspects of a fleet’s performance. Ongoing collaboration with customers after deployment has been shown to be critical for long-term success by organizations like Penske.
Our recommendation is to begin working with your utility provider 12-18 months before your deployment date, as this will allow enough time to confirm transformer availability, power capacity, and any site-specific impediments. Some preventive measures that can be taken against overspending include designing smartly, right-sizing technologies, utilizing phased electrification strategies, and making the initial investment into conduit and groundworks infrastructure.
When pursuing government funding, it is critical to exercise diligence, expertise, and engage stakeholders early. The application process will vary greatly depending on which administration you are applying under, and this also includes stacking grants, rebates, and tax credits. Shepherd’s main message throughout the session was:
“The funding is there, and we are proud to be part of the process in connecting businesses and winning.”
On March 18th, Shepherd sponsored the official “Get Plugged In” Networking Party, one of the most exciting social events of the summit. In a true brand moment, all 100 of the first attendees received a Shepherd-branded stuffed German Shepherd as their door prize, demonstrating our dedication to protecting the herd.
The evening’s energy aligned with the summit’s expectations of strengthening existing relationships and developing new ones by meeting people and having meaningful conversations, resulting in the best possible opportunities.
That said, no webinar provides the same exposure to attendees as being there in person. As a result, Shepherd has left Las Vegas with additional contacts and resources across fleet management, e-mobility, electric vehicle/charging technology, clean energy, and transportation policy. This expanded network helps increase the overall value of the solutions we provide to our customers.
We also gained frontline intelligence: the future-proofing strategies leading organizations are deploying today, from phased electrification rollouts to innovative power solutions. The EV world is moving fast. Being present at events like this keeps Shepherd and its clients ahead of the curve. Being on the panel was both an honor and a responsibility we take seriously.
Events like this don’t succeed on their own. From weeks before the Summit through to its conclusion and even after, the commitment and efforts of the Shepherd team paid dividends throughout our participation.
The success of the event was a collaborative effort by all our team members as we executed across areas ranging from panel preparation and logistical support for our sponsorship to networking opportunities. We at Shepherd provide the same level of preparation, engagement, and results to every one of our clients each day.
There are significant opportunities. Whether you are a fleet operator considering electrification, an infrastructure developer navigating permitting and incentive processes, or a technology company seeking to grow your business through government channels, Shepherd Strategies has the experience and connections to support your success.
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