Fleet operators looking to electrify often run into the same roadblock: the local grid isn’t ready to support their full charging load, and waiting for a utility upgrade can delay a project for months or years. A strategy known as flexible service connection offers a way around that bottleneck, allowing fleets to get up and running sooner rather than putting operations on hold until every upgrade is complete.
As Zach Woogen, Executive Director of the Vehicle-Grid Integration Council (VGIC), explains at Intersolar & Energy Storage North America 2026, flexible service connection uses electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging equipment to shift load in locations where the grid is constrained. Instead of waiting on a full system upgrade, fleet operators can agree to a limited load schedule with their utility—refining exactly when charging happens to get the most out of the grid connection that’s already in place.
This approach benefits both sides: fleets get connected to the grid faster and start operating sooner, while utilities get the breathing room to complete the infrastructure upgrades needed to eventually support the fleet’s full charging capacity. It’s a practical example of how smarter coordination between fleets, charging equipment, and utilities can accelerate the transition to electric transportation.
