Dive Brief:
- ABM announced Thursday that it will deploy Mainspring Energy’s power generation technology to enhance its electric vehicle charging solutions for fleet, commercial and industrial customers.
- Mainspring Energy’s Linear Generator provides on-site power by converting linear motion into electricity and can operate directly on renewable and zero-carbon fuels such as biogas, hydrogen and ammonia, as well as traditional fuels like natural gas and propane. ABM said in a news release.
- The technology’s ability to be quickly deployed at scale is particularly appealing to large fleet operators seeking to rapidly and cost-effectively deploy resilient EV charging infrastructure while slashing emissions and working toward net-zero goals, ABM said.
Dive Insight:
Fleet operators are increasingly shifting toward a mixed energy strategy, according to a white paper by Frost & Sullivan, which found that 80% of fleet operators surveyed across more than 500 organizations in 2024 expect at least 25% of their vehicles to be electric by 2030. Another 2024 survey by Teletrac Navman, involving over 500 fleet professionals worldwide, showed that 27% of fleet managers plan to convert to electric or alternative fuel vehicles within the next 12 months.
Energy reliability, resiliency, efficiency and speed-to-power are top of mind for fleet operators investing in electrification, Mark Hawkinson, president of technical solutions at ABM, said in a statement. However, the availability and reliability of the power needed to support commercial fleets often pose an obstacle for operators looking to deploy electrification strategies, ABM said.
As clean fuels become increasingly available and more cost-effective, the Linear Generator’s flexibility allows facilities to meet their energy needs, removing the need for expensive replacements or retrofits, Mainspring CEO Shannon Miller said in a statement, speaking on Schneider Electric’s integration of Linear Generator into its microgrid solutions earlier this year.
The ABM and Mainspring Energy partnership will provide clients with commercial EV engineering, procurement and construction services, alongside essential maintenance support, the companies said.
ABM’s EV charging services for fleet operators include design, engineering and installation services, microgrids and power storage and on-site proactive maintenance, according to its website. In a separate ebook on EV solutions for fleets, the company notes that its integrated maintenance approach “delivers faster response times with technicians” and that its design, engineering and installation services include federal and local compliance, due diligence and determining the “optimal configuration” for electric vehicle supply equipment, power capacity and infrastructure. The company also works with clients to access and leverage state and federal funding opportunities, per the ebook.
Mainspring’s Linear Power Generator can integrate with RavenVolt’s microgrid switchgear where applicable, providing clients with “robust, turn-key power generation options,” ABM said. RavenVolt provides grid-interactive microgrid solutions and utility battery systems for commercial and industrial use and for national retailers and municipalities, according to its website.
Adam Simpson, chief commercial officer of Mainspring Energy said in a statement that integrating Linear Generator with ABM’s facilities management and charging solutions would help meet the growing demand for EV infrastructure and “set a new standard for efficiency and reliability in power generation.”
