“We’re embracing EV technology and the EV movement. We take it very seriously.” 

These strong words come from someone who knows about vehicles. Chris Wessel, director of U.S. Fleet for global logistics and shipping company DHL Express, oversees tens of thousands of trucks and vans in the company’s fleet. His statement reflects a pivotal shift for many businesses: Electrification can make economic sense. 

Electric vehicles in the U.S. reached a record-high market share¹ in 2024, and 90% of fleet operators with EVs report planning to add more EVs² to their fleets – clearly, interest in electrification continues to grow. For commercial fleets, adding electric vans and trucks is emerging as a strategy for helping reduce total cost of ownership and operating costs across diverse industries and company sizes.   

Tapping into real-world customer insights, Ford Pro™ – the commercial vehicles division of Ford Motor Company – has identified some top trends shaping the future of commercial vehicle electrification as we move into 2025. 

1. Electric vehicle early adopters enter the “show, not tell” phase 

Many business and government customers who were early adopters of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure are entering a new “show, not tell” phase of larger-scale adoption beyond their initial pilot programs with data on why it’s a good long-term business decision. By gradually adding electric vehicles, addressing potential challenges, and maximizing benefits, these adopters are proving the economic case inspiring others to invest.   

Ecolab, a global sustainability company operating 10,000 light-duty vehicles in its North American fleet, worked with Ford Pro to add 1,000 F-150® Lightning® trucks and Mustang® Mach-E® SUVs to its California fleet by 2025. Plus, the F-150 Lightning pickup has fewer moving parts than a gas-powered 2024 F-150, which could potentially lower scheduled maintenance costs..³ 

Vestas determined that the F-150 Lightning was the only electric truck that could handle their rugged, remote work sites. The company put these learnings into action by purchasing more than 300 F-150 Lightning trucks and over 270 Ford Pro chargers to help stay powered up in rural areas. 

The economic benefits are clear. Small businesses in Europe, for example, could potentially save €14,000 per vehicle over three years by switching to electric vans, according to key findings from a report commissioned by Ford Pro. 

When delivery company France Alliance 56 first began delivering parcels in the Morbihan region of France, it relied on diesel-powered vans. Today, the small business operates Ford E-Transit™ vans supported by Ford Pro Charging solutions. Switching to electric vans has cut their energy costs by more than 80% with expenses dropping to just €3 per 100 kilometers, compared with €18-€20 per 100 kilometers for diesel-powered vans. 

2. Data, insights, and software are driving electric vehicle adoption 

These days, a fleet manager’s most powerful tool isn’t an air wrench or hydraulic lift – it’s a tablet or laptop. Connected vehicles – those with embedded or plug-in modems – are becoming commonplace in fleet depots; the data they relay and the software that analyzes it demonstrates electrification’s benefits like fuel savings, lower emissions, and reduced downtime. 

Chief Harry Hess of the Avondale Estates Police Department was initially skeptical of electric vehicles. But when he added several Ford electric trucks and SUVs to his fleet and activated Ford Pro Telematics software, the maintenance and cost benefits became clear. 

Between September 2022 and May 2024, the police department saved nearly 2,790 gallons of gas and nearly 20 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Ford Pro Telematics⁴ data has become an important part of Chief Hess’ fleet replacement cycle, making it easier to determine the optimal time to replace vehicles before maintenance costs increase. 

Sometimes, data shows the benefits of electrification even where it’s least expected, like the cold winters of Canada. Fize Électrique, a Quebec-area electrical contractor, uses Ford Pro E-Telematics⁵ to track real-time range and charge status of their fleet and to remotely precondition vehicles in harsh temperatures. 

“Using Ford Pro E-Telematics, we’re able to track our range and efficiency at any moment – and even in the winter, our Ford E-Transit™ vans have plenty of capability to meet our needs," said Alain Fiset, director of Smart Energy, Fize Électrique.

3. One-stop-shop ecosystems are helping businesses efficiently transition to electric vehicles 

The journey to an electrified commercial fleet isn’t always straightforward – that’s where having the right team makes a difference. Ford Pro and its one-stop-shop solution of vehicles, charging, software, service, and financing help customers adopt electric trucks and vans and optimize their operations. 

Grade A Construction, a women-owned, mid-size construction company in Tennessee, contacted their Ford Pro dealer for help simplifying their vehicle management. The dealer formed a team that guided the company through the full spectrum of Ford Pro services, from Ford Pro™ FinSimple® lines of credit to Ford Fleet Care streamlined billing and Ford Pro Telematics fleetwide data. 

For Chris Russo, co-founder of South Carolina-based disability care provider Elite Home Care, the Ford Pro team has felt like an extension of his own. 

“I talk to the Ford Pro team as though they’re a part of our company now," he said. "The level of support we’ve received through the process is unbelievable – helping us develop our charging infrastructure, sourcing equipment, finding contractors and following up to see how things are going. I’ve never seen anything like it.” 

By working with Ford Pro’s one-stop-shop of solutions including vehicles, upfitting, charging, telematics and more, Elite Home Care is saving $6,500 per Ford E-Transit van each year – allowing them to invest back in their business and their community. 

4. Commercial charging is evolving to address business needs 

Today, you’re likely to find commercial-grade chargers in company parking lots and fleet depots. But there’s increasing demand for the convenience of charging elsewhere, from employees’ homes to public charging networks. In fact, in surveys conducted with fleet operators, almost 30% said their employees take company vehicles home after work.⁶ 

Hotpoint, a global home appliances manufacturer, found after adding Ford E-Transit electric vans to their UK-based service vehicle fleet that home charging was the ideal solution. 

Pemberton also notes that if a Hotpoint driver can’t find a public charger, Ford Pro Telematics provides the ability for fleet managers to pinpoint their location and divert them towards available chargers. 

Utility providers are an increasing part of the trend toward innovative charging solutions. Xcel Energy, a leading energy provider across the Midwest and Southwest, is collaborating with Ford Pro to support the installation of 30,000 electric vehicle charging ports by 2030 for business fleets in Xcel’s service areas; Ford Pro will also offer its suite of end-to-end charging solutions to customers as part of the program. 

Southern Company, one of the largest energy providers in the U.S., is collaborating with Ford Pro to use connected vehicle and charging data to build out a best-practices electrification blueprint for its nearly 587,000 business customers.