Charging-as-a-Service: What You Need to Know
by Highland Electric Fleets and PowerOptions
In partnership with Highland Electric Fleets, PowerOptions will be providing electric vehicle charging services to its members in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Vehicle electrification in the United States is on the rise. According to S&P Global, by 2030 more than one in four new passenger cars sold will be an electric vehicle (EV). Paired with ambitious national and state clean energy goals – the Biden Administration’s 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, for example – the adoption of electric transportation is happening more quickly than ever before. Even nonprofits small and large are making the transition to cleaner transportation a part of their sustainability goals. While this is a good thing for achieving decarbonization and creating cleaner energy sources, the acceleration of EVs will ultimately require advanced developments in EV infrastructure and services. A novel, yet growing, solution for the implementation of charging infrastructure is Charging-as-a-Service.
What is Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS)? 
Having an electric vehicle without the proper elements for charging and maintenance is futile and often brings about challenges for EV owners seeking great returns on their investments while maintaining operational standards. Subscription-based delivery solutions like Charging-as-a-Service supports EV owners by providing them with the necessary charging equipment for a monthly or annual fee over a short- or long-term contract. This model is especially attractive for organizations that own multiple electric vehicles or what is known as an electric fleet. In essence, Charging-as-a-Service relinquishes the implementation of charging infrastructure and management to someone else – allowing fleet owners to freely charge and go with minimal to no responsibilities.
Who should use Charging-as-a-Service?
Charging-as-a-Service is a great solution for nonprofits and public entities with electric fleets and others with commercial-scale vehicles. Organizations that require transportation for their employees – police departments, waste management, shipping, or transportation operators – can greatly benefit from Charging-as-a-Service. Organizations that also wish to generate revenue by providing charging services to their visitors will also find Charging-as-a-Service to be an asset to their operations.
What are the benefits of using CaaS?
As-a-service models like CaaS are designed to be risk-free, cost-efficient, and labor-saving for the customer. As a result, Charging-as-a-Service providers absorb the financial risks associated with purchasing and owning the equipment, managing the procurement process required for installation, providing the capital for installation, and also managing the overall software system and data once operational.
In addition to time and efficiency gains, CaaS users are often able to save more money overall compared to users who choose to purchase, install, operate, and maintain their own equipment. By paying a fixed cost over a defined period of time, organizations are able to effectively budget for operating expenses and focus their efforts on the key areas of their operations that will continue to help them serve their constituents.
As more nonprofits and public entities commit to sustainability and decarbonization goals through vehicle electrification, Charging-as-a-Service will be a vital component in sustaining the clean energy transition.
