Ford Acquires Electriphi to Boost EV Fleet Solutions

Ford Expands Commercial EV Capabilities with Electriphi Acquisition

Ford is strategically bolstering its presence in the electric vehicle market for commercial applications. The company currently has two electric vehicles planned for release – the E-Transit cargo van and the F-150 Lightning Pro – both specifically designed to meet the needs of business customers.

Strengthening its EV Business

To further solidify its future in commercial EVs, Ford has acquired Electriphi, a startup specializing in battery management and fleet monitoring software. The financial details of this acquisition have not been publicly released.

Ford anticipates that the software developed by Electriphi, a San Francisco-based company founded three years ago, will contribute to generating over $1 billion in revenue from charging services alone by the year 2030.

Integration into Ford Pro

Electriphi, including its team of 30 professionals, will be integrated into Ford Pro, a newly established business unit. This unit is dedicated to providing comprehensive services to commercial customers utilizing the electric Transit van and F-150 Lightning Pro pickup truck.

Deliveries of the E-Transit are scheduled to begin later this year. The F-150 Lightning Pro, a commercial version of the all-electric Lightning pickup, is expected to be available in spring 2022.

Ambitious Revenue Goals

Ford Pro has set ambitious financial targets extending beyond charging revenue. The business unit projects to achieve $45 billion in revenue from hardware, related services, and new offerings by 2025, a significant increase from the $27 billion recorded in 2019.

Addressing Customer Needs

“As commercial fleets increasingly incorporate electric vehicles, dependable depot charging solutions are essential to ensure operational readiness,” stated Ted Cannis, CEO of Ford Pro. “By incorporating Electriphi’s advanced technology into the Ford Pro portfolio, we will improve the customer experience and provide a complete, single-source solution for fleet-depot charging.”

Electriphi's Origins and Focus

Electriphi was founded in 2018, recognizing the impending impact of state and federal regulations driving the electrification of heavy-duty vehicles and mid-sized commercial fleets. The company’s focus has been on supporting the deployment of commercial electric vehicles both within the U.S. and internationally, including applications like school buses and transit buses.

Co-founder and CEO Muffi Ghadiali emphasized the scale of the coming changes, stating, “The transformation in mobility, energy, and software over the next decade will be massive.”

Urgency in Fleet Electrification

Ghadiali highlighted the pressure fleet operators face due to upcoming mandates requiring a transition to zero-emission vehicles by the end of the decade. “Fleet operators understand they must begin the transition now to ensure uninterrupted operations,” he explained. “They need assurance that their fleet management won’t be disrupted during this shift.”

Acquisition Details

Initial discussions between Ford and Electriphi began in early 2021. Prior to the acquisition, Electriphi had secured $4.2 million in funding at a valuation of approximately $11 million.

Future Plans

While Ford’s primary intention is to leverage the software for its E-Transit and Lightning Pro vehicles, it is likely that they will continue to support Electriphi’s existing customer base.

Ghadiali noted the versatility of the underlying Ford platform, stating, “The Ford platform is already utilized across various vehicle types, including school buses.” He added, “It’s difficult to predict which segments we won’t continue to serve, as they align with our expertise. Our main focus, however, will be supporting the substantial volume of vehicles Ford plans to ship in the coming year.”