Small Fleets, Big Change: Overcoming Obstacles in the Transition to MHD Electric Vehicles


Aug 12th 10AM to 11AM PST

This webinar will bring together small fleet operators, industry experts, and utility representatives to explore the key barriers small fleets encounter on the path to electrification.

Small Fleets, Big Change: Overcoming Obstacles in the Transition to MHD Electric Vehicles

As medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) vehicle incentive programs continue to roll out across states, a critical question arises: Are small fleets prepared to take full advantage of these opportunities? Despite the growing support for vehicle electrification, many small fleet operators face unique challenges that may hinder their ability to transition to electric vehicles (EVs). These challenges include limited resources, lack of access to charging infrastructure, and difficulty navigating complex incentive landscapes.

This webinar will bring together small fleet operators, industry experts, and utility representatives to explore the key barriers small fleets encounter on the path to electrification. From vehicle availability and infrastructure limitations to financing and operational considerations, we’ll examine how these obstacles are being addressed through innovative solutions and cross-sector collaboration. Panelists will share real-world experiences and offer practical insights into what’s working—and what still needs to be done.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the current MHD incentive ecosystem and hear directly from those on the front lines of implementation. Whether you're a fleet manager, policymaker, utility partner, or advocate for clean transportation, this webinar will provide valuable strategies and perspectives to support small fleets in their journey toward a more sustainable future.

Register Now

Moderator:

Akhila Suri, Senior Program Manager, Forth

Akhila is leading Forth’s Emerging Modes of Transportation team as a Senior Program Manager. Her recent experience includes zero-emission fleet transitions with CALSTART and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Previously, at the World Resources Institute, she collaborated with city governments worldwide to enhance mobility for vulnerable road users.



Speakers:

Niki Okuk, Deputy Director, CALSTART 

Niki Okuk is Deputy Director of Trucks and Off-Road. In this position, she works to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission medium and heavy duty trucks for the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP), funded by California Climate Investments (CCI). Okuk has substantial experience in the freight, trucking, and port operations as well as a long track record in environmental justice, building community capacity, and equity outcomes.


Sharon Dudley-Parham, Clean Energy Taskforce Coordinator, Black Fleet Network

Sharon Dudley-Parham is a leader with deep expertise in marketing, sales, and business development across multiple industries, particularly the automotive and clean energy sectors. As one of two coordinators of the Black Fleet Network’s Clean Energy Taskforce – a subgroup of the nonprofit organization -- Sharon works with partnering organizations to design, guide and optimize implementation of clean energy solutions for the automotive fleet, mobility, and transportation sectors. This work centers on access and community empowerment to ensure that communities benefit equitably from clean energy solutions. Concisely, CET helps to lay the groundwork for the ecosystems supporting the success of these critical strategies and goals, effectively, within the communities to which these matter the most. 


Margaret Boelter, Policy Analyst, Zeem Solutions

Margaret is a Policy Analyst at Zeem Solutions with a strong background in clean transportation incentives and policy. Throughout almost 3 years at Zeem Solutions she has managed incentive programs and grants worth millions of dollars and led transformative policy advocacy efforts. Her responsibilities at Zeem include policy work, government relations, grant management, and research. She graduated from University of Michigan LSA College with a BS degree in Environmental Science and a Computer Science Minor. Margaret was interviewed for Environmental Directions Radio and has been featured as a panelist on various transportation electrification workshops.


Jessica Nunziata, Program Manager, Con Edison
Jessica Nunziata currently works at Con Edison as the Program Manager of the Medium- and Heavy-Duty Pilot Program, which offers incentives to mitigate the cost of electric vehicle charging infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty fleets.  She joined Con Edison in 2016 and has held various roles throughout the Company where she leverages her utility industry experience to drive fleet electrification in New York.  In her previous role, she worked on the Power-Ready Light-Duty Vehicle Infrastructure Programs team, where she supported the completion of Level 2 and DCFC projects and managed partnerships with key developers.  She enjoys engaging with fleets to help increase awareness of the incentives and support services available to them on their journey to electrification.