#226 – Andy Bennett | EVolve (Vontier) – Energy Management for Scaling EV Charging Infrastructure

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck

Andy Bennett is CEO of EVolve, a Vontier Company featuring Driivz and Sparkion.

Takeaways

• EVolve focuses on software for vehicle electrification.
• Energy management is crucial for optimizing charging infrastructure.
• Customer experience in EV charging is complex but essential.
• Active energy management can significantly increase charging capacity.
• The U.S. is lagging behind Europe in EV charging infrastructure.
• Integration of software solutions is key to improving EV charging.
• A sustainable business model is necessary for long-term success.
• Personal motivation drives innovation in the EV space.
• The future of EV charging will see rapid advancements.
• Patience is needed as the U.S. transitions to widespread EV adoption.

Links:

• Show notes: ⁠http://brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetter/andybennett⁠
• Edison Manufacturing Exchange: ⁠https://brandonbartneck.substack.com/publish/home\⁠
• Survey results for changing consumer preferences around charging ⁠HERE⁠ and ⁠HERE⁠
• Recent update on Driivz moving to Raleigh, NC HERE
• Recent update on Konect customers and momentum HERE

About Andy Bennett

Andy Bennett was appointed CEO of EVolve, a Vontier Company, in 2023. Andy spearheads EVolve’s strategic vision to play a crucial role in creating a sustainable global mobility network. Key to EVolve’s customer offer are the market-leading Driivz and Sparkion technology platforms, which provide an interoperable electric vehicle charging and energy management platform solution that enables EV charging providers and fleet operators to simplify and facilitate EV charging economically, at scale, while delivering an exceptional charging experience for customers.

Andy has over 27 years of experience scaling software companies focused on the energy industry. Previously, he was the CEO of mPrest, led sales for IBM's AI Applications Business Unit, and served as the GM of Schneider Electric's Energy Business Unit.

About Vontier

Vontier (NYSE: VNT) is a global industrial technology company uniting productivity, automation and multi-energy technologies to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving, more connected mobility ecosystem. Leveraging leading market positions, decades of domain expertise and unparalleled portfolio breadth, Vontier enables the way the world moves – delivering smart, safe and sustainable solutions to our customers and the planet.

About Driivz

Driivz, a Vontier (NYSE: VNT) company and part of its EVolve™ e-mobility portfolio, is a leading global software supplier to EV charging operators and service providers, accelerating the plug-in EV industry’s dynamic and continuous transformation. The company’s intelligent, cloud-based platform spans EV charging operations, energy management, advanced billing capabilities and driver self-service tools.

Driivz’s team of EV experts serves customers in more than 30 countries, including global industry players such as EVgo, Shell, Circle K, Volvo Group, Centrica, Recharge, St1, ElaadNL, ESB, Mer, Francis Energy, Ennet Corporation and eMobility Power.

About Sparkion

Sparkion, a Vontier-owned (NYSE: VNT) company, is a leader in energy management solutions for the behind-the-meter industry, with a focus on electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVSE). Sparkion’s AI-driven Energy Platform enables EV site owners, fleet operators and businesses to optimize energy usage and consumption in real-time, maximize the use of on-site renewables and become energy resilient.

Building Better

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck is focused on the people, products, and companies that are creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. This show was previously called the Future of Mobility podcast.

Edison Manufacturing and Engineering:

Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods.