Driving the Future of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure and Innovation

Clean vehicle technology is bringing significant change to the transportation industry, and fleet leaders are strategically assessing the role of battery-electric vehicles within their operations as well as the essential charging infrastructure needed to support them. Successful transitions require more than simply purchasing battery-electric vehicles.

Fleets need to consider vehicle capabilities, operational requirements, infrastructure needs and more, which can be a complex process. Penske Energy works with its customers to identify the electrification opportunities that will allow them to meet their operational and environmental objectives.

Who is Penske Energy?

Penske Energy is a joint venture formed by Penske Transportation Solutions and ForeFront Power that leverages Penske’s extensive fleet management experience and ForeFront Power’s expertise in energy infrastructure development. Penske Energy helps fleets pinpoint the areas of their operation where the technology can succeed today, identify the ideal applications and routes for BEVs, and design and source charging infrastructure.

“We are filling a need in the marketplace by advising commercial truck fleets on how to best navigate the complexities of electric truck charging infrastructure,” explained Travis Hill, managing director of Penske Energy. “As a partner, we want to help our clients deploy a cost-effective solution that fits in their operation, and we work with them to find a location or application that meets their needs and helps them reach their EV goals.”

Penske Energy’s Role in EV Infrastructure

Successful deployment hinges on the ability to charge vehicles as needed while working within the confines of a business’s typical operations, so determining the optimal placement, power needs and future scalability is critical.

Penske Energy works with fleets to not only identify charging needs but also conduct a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis, factoring in capital costs, incentives, fuel savings, maintenance costs and other expenses to determine the total cost of ownership for any charging project. Plus, Penske Energy has relationships with national charging providers and can help customers tap into these networks along with Penske’s fast-charge network to make more routes electrifiable.

As part of its work, Penske Energy also closely tracks EV policy and incentive opportunities, ensuring customers meet all regulatory requirements and take advantage of available funding.

Getting Fleets Up and Running

Not every route or application will work for a battery-electric vehicle, but fleets don’t have to wait for all the stars to align to pursue electrification. Most fleets have at least some routes or applications where the technology can work today. “We are still in the early stages of commercial EV adoption. There is no reason to force solutions into locations that don’t make sense unless it is regulated,” Hill said.

Determining which applications are well suited for BEVs starts with looking at specific operational requirements for different equipment, determining how to fit in with a fleet’s existing routes and duty cycles, and identifying existing public and private charging options and additional infrastructure needs.

Penske Energy also assists fleets with long-term operational planning to lay the foundation for future charger deployments, cutting down on the need for costly retrofit projects later.

EVinfo.net Interviews Travis Hill, Managing Director of Penske Energy

EVinfo.net had the great honor and pleasure of interviewing Travis Hill, Managing Director of Penske Energy.

Bill Pierce:

Tell us about your transportation career at Penske.

Travis Hill:

I’ve been fortunate to build most of my professional career—spanning over two decades—at Penske Transportation Solutions. Throughout this time, I’ve held roles in both sales and operations, gaining a deep understanding of the industry from multiple perspectives. Prior to stepping into my current role as managing director of Penske Energy, I served as director of enterprise sales, where I worked closely with some of Penske’s largest customers. My focus was on developing transportation solutions that met their evolving needs, with sustainability becoming an increasingly critical factor. This experience reinforced my passion for helping fleets transition toward cleaner, more efficient technologies.

Bill Pierce:

What drew you to the opportunity with Penske Energy?

Travis Hill:

This role presented a unique and exciting challenge with tremendous growth potential. In my previous position, I saw firsthand that many of our customers were actively seeking transportation sustainability solutions but faced significant hurdles in implementing them. Zero-emission vehicle technologies are no longer just a concept for the future, they are an essential part of today’s transportation landscape. Penske has a strong track record of understanding fleet technologies and helping customers adopt solutions that align with their long-term goals. Stepping into this role allows me to be at the forefront of that transformation, guiding customers through the complexities of infrastructure, vehicle integration, and operational feasibility.

Bill Pierce:

How has Penske Energy evolved, and what projects are you currently working on?

Travis Hill:

Penske Energy has been in operation for about a year-and-a-half, and I’ve had the privilege of leading the team for the past year. The progress has been significant, and our product offering continues to evolve to meet our customer’s needs. We’re working with a diverse mix of customers across key industries, including trucking, automotive, and food service. Our projects range from full-scale consulting—where we develop end-to-end electrification strategies—to hands-on infrastructure deployment, ensuring that fleets have the right charging solutions in place.

One of our key strengths is our ability to manage the entire electrification process, from selecting optimal routes and public charging networks to designing and implementing behind-the-fence charging infrastructure. Through our collaboration with Penske Truck Leasing, we can take projects from planning to execution seamlessly and leverage our deep vehicle experience to ensure the full solution is feasible.

Beyond our core industries, we’re also supporting electrification efforts in emerging sectors such as last-mile delivery, service industry fleets, and warehouse operators in states where regulation is driving ZEV growth. As the industry continues to evolve, we remain committed to helping fleets navigate this transition with confidence and clarity.

Upcoming Event: EV Charging Summit and Expo, March 25-27, Las Vegas, Booth #533

The EV Charging Summit and Expo is a key event that brings together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to discuss the future of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. This summit serves as a platform for addressing the challenges and opportunities of EV charging, focusing on topics such as the expansion of charging networks, advancements in charging technologies, grid integration, and sustainability.

Experts share insights on how to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, including solutions to improve charging speed, accessibility, and cost-efficiency. Additionally, the summit fosters collaboration between public and private sectors to create policies and strategies that can drive the global adoption of electric vehicles, ultimately contributing to a cleaner, greener future. Don’t miss Penske Energy’s exciting booth at this important event!

Start Today

Are you interested in finding the ideal mix of clean technologies that work best for your operations? Learn more about how Penske Energy can streamline and simplify the transition to electric fleets by visiting www.PenskeEnergy.com.

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