AMPLY Power Saves Up to 40% on Energy Costs for Tri Delta Transit Electric Buses

[Antioch, CA, April, 9, 2020] – Supporting California’s goal to transition all public transit agencies to 100 percent zero-emission bus fleets by 2040, AMPLY Power is managing the charging of electric buses for Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority, operating under the name Tri Delta Transit. AMPLY identified 40 percent of annual energy savings its managed charging software platform could realize, while guaranteeing vehicles were charged and ready to work each day. AMPLY expects savings to increase as Tri Delta Transit expands its electric bus fleet in the future. This service to Tri Delta Transit exemplifies AMPLY’s leadership in supporting municipal transit customers to maximize the benefits of their electric bus fleets while remaining hardware agnostic.

“For any transit authority, guaranteeing that all of our buses are ready for their morning roll-out is critical. Electric buses bring a new process to our operations and electricity use, and we knew we were better off, in the long run, leveraging the expertise of AMPLY’s model,” said Steve Ponte, Chief Operating Officer of Tri Delta Transit. “They helped us pinpoint the financial, operational, and equipment improvements we could make to realize 40 percent savings and ensure uptime for our riders who depend on our bus service to go about their daily lives. As we expand our EV fleet, we look forward to working with AMPLY to realize even greater savings.”

Tri Delta Transit launched its electric bus program in 2018. AMPLY was brought in during the fall of 2019 to simplify Tri Delta’s charging operations and address challenges presented by previously installed hardware. Tri Delta Transit equipment includes buses from Proterra and BYD and associated charging infrastructure systems. This project illustrates how the AMPLY offering is agnostic to a variety of buses and chargers regardless of manufacturer.

AMPLY’s cloud-based smart charging system monitors the charging status and power levels in real-time, deploying algorithms to minimize utility demand and time-of-use rate charges. Using this real-time status, allows AMPLY’s system to forecast when the vehicles will be ready-to-go, and once the vehicles are out delivering passengers, AMPLY’s system can track their return state-of-charge battery level and length of time to recharge. For Tri Delta, this is realizing up to 40 percent savings on energy rates.

“We monitor the chargers and catch error codes to improve charger uptime, and its database collects all the information Tri Delta needs to confidently move down their electrification roadmap,” said Rob Kelly, VP Business Development of AMPLY.

Additionally, as a regulated fuel supply entity with CARB, AMPLY supported Tri Delta Transit in monetizing its low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) credits. Such savings and LCFS credits can be reinvested into operations to accelerate a transit authority’s ability to adopt a zero-emissions future.

“Fleet operators work on a very rigorous timeline and must adhere to a strict operational dance to ensure their vehicles run on-schedule. This on-the-go structure makes finding the time to optimize an electric fleet more difficult than one might expect,” said Vic Shao, CEO of AMPLY. “Municipal and commercial fleets are on the front lines of state-wide goals to decarbonize our transportation sector, and they deserve solutions that make the transition both simple and cost-effective. We’re proud to work with Tri Delta Transit on their charging operations so they can put their focus on providing quality service to their riders.”

Beyond managing charging operations with a depot’s existing hardware, AMPLY offers a comprehensive Charging-as-a-Service to fleet owners. The offering includes managing utility administration and interconnection, as well as establishing an optimal charging strategy based on drive and duty cycles. This service can also provide debt financing or secure grant funding to reduce capital expenditures and implement resiliency plans as needed. Additionally, AMPLY is available to perform onsite operations maintenance services, and invest in technology upgrades as the needs of a fleet evolve.

Overall, AMPLY manages charging operations for a variety of customers, including an electric school bus fleet demonstration in New York City, and through preferred partnerships with electric bus manufacturer BYD, and the subsidiary of Hawaiian Electric Company, Pacific Current. CEO Vic Shao was newly named to the 2020 Grist 50 list as one of 50 “fixers,” providing new solutions to the planet’s biggest problems. AMPLY was also recently listed on the Cleantech Forum’s Global Cleantech 100 as a company poised to solve some of society’s biggest challenges over the next five to ten years