Managed Charging Just Got Real: What Southern Company & Ford Pro’s Pilot Means for the Future of Fleet Electrification
Image Ford
By Kevin Christopher, CPO ZeroMission
This month, Southern Company and Ford Pro dropped results from one of the most important pilot programmes in the electric fleet world this year, and the implications are huge.
Their six-month managed charging pilot wasn’t just another test. It was a real-world, multi-state trial of how large-scale electric fleets can work with the grid instead of straining it, without compromising operational uptime. And for those of us driving the next chapter of transport decarbonisation, that’s a milestone worth celebrating.
Why This Matters: It’s Not Just About EVs, It’s About Intelligent EVs
At ZeroMission, we’ve long said electrifying your fleet is only step one. The bigger challenge, and opportunity, is how you manage those EVs to reduce cost, minimise disruption, and maximise energy value.
This pilot proves it’s not only possible, it’s happening.
With over 200 Ford F-150 Lightning trucks and 150+ Level 2 AC Ford Pro Chargers, Southern Company didn’t just plug in and hope for the best. They used Ford Pro Intelligence to gather data, apply smart charging algorithms, and actively shift energy use away from peak times.
The Results Speak Volumes:
0.5 MW of load shaved during demand response events (that’s about 10 kW per charger)
Charging shifted without disrupting drivers’ needs
Seamless day-to-day fleet operations across a diverse service area
A clear demonstration of how software, vehicles, and chargers can work in sync
It’s not just about saving money. It’s about showing that managed charging can be predictable, stable, and scalable. And that’s what fleet operators and the grid need.
A Signal to Utilities, OEMs & Fleet Operators Everywhere
This isn’t just great news for Southern Company or Ford Pro. It’s a clear signal to fleet operators, utilities, and governments:
You can electrify at scale without melting the grid
Smart energy management reduces risk and cost
EV fleets can become energy assets, not just consumers
At ZeroMission, we’re helping fleets all over the world apply these same principles, linking real-time operational data, energy pricing, and smart scheduling into intelligent charging strategies that work for both the fleet and the wider energy ecosystem.
What Comes Next?
This study sets the tone for what’s coming: a future where managed charging is the default, not the exception. And where every fleet, whether public or private, can unlock new value from its electrification journey.
We’re proud to be part of that shift.
If you’re thinking about your next steps, whether you're just piloting EVs or scaling across multiple depots, let’s talk. Because the question is no longer “Can it work?” It’s “How soon can you start?”
