What does it take to push an entire industry toward electrification?

In this episode, John and Kyler talk with Ben Hartford, EV Sales Manager at Pritchard EV, about the complexities of transitioning commercial fleets from gas and diesel to electric. Ben shares his experience in helping Fortune 500 companies and government fleets set and achieve sustainability goals, as well as the challenges and opportunities of adopting EV technology.

Listen in as Ben discusses the future of fleet electrification, how to navigate the evolving landscape of regulations, and why starting small with pilot programs can lead to big changes.

Key Takeaways:

1. Focus on Personalized Solutions: Focus on understanding customers' specific needs and fleet operations before recommending electric vehicle solutions.

2. Prepare for Future Regulations: Stay ahead of the curve by piloting electric vehicles and changing infrastructure now so that businesses are ready when new regulations mandate cleaner transportation options.

3. Explore Emerging Technologies: Keep an eye on innovation that may provide more efficient alternatives and recommend the most sustainable options for each customer.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Meet Ben

(01:19) Pritchard’s role in the electrification of fleets

(02:14) Early adoption of EVs by customers

(04:09) Pritchard’s business structure and national reach

(05:55) Pritchard’s approach to customer engagement and education

(07:19) Consultative sales approach to EV solutions

(08:33) Navigating regulations and their impact on Pritchard

(13:37) How Pritchard helps clients adopt EVs gradually

(18:03) Encouraging pilot programs to test EV adoption

(31:12) Evaluating new OEM partnerships for Pritchard

(33:25) The shift from brand loyalty among customers

(36:34) Addressing infrastructure challenges for clients

(42:10) Hydrogen’s role in medium and heavy-duty fleet solutions