How DES made driving electric vehicles more efficient for state agencies
The DES mission is “strengthening the business of government for a sustainable and just future.” The agency is doing just that by making it easier for state employees to drive electric vehicles when conducting official state business, and our work was noted by a national association.
DES recently received the Innovation in State Government Award for Customer Service and Experience from the National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA). The prestigious honor recognizes DES for streamlining and improving how state agencies, boards, and institutions use charging stations for state-owned electric vehicles (EV). Courtney Speer, Deputy Director of the DES Business Resources Division, accepted the award on behalf of the agency.
“The Department of Enterprise Services Fleet Operations project demonstrates how customer-centric changes, from simplifying payment to ensuring equitable vendor access, improve experiences for the state employees who keep vital services running,” said NASCA Executive Director Elizabith Whitehouse. “The initiative reflects the transformative and people-centered approach celebrated by the NASCA Innovation in State Government: Customer Service and Experience Award.”
Speer led an initiative that tackled a major barrier to EV adoption: Fragmented payment systems that left drivers juggling up to five payment cards for different charging networks. Through strategic collaboration with fuel card vendor WEX, DES launched a national pilot project that consolidated four to five payment cards per vehicle into just two—dramatically simplifying the payment process and expanding access to small and diverse-owned fueling vendors.
“This work serves as a national model to not only improve day-to-day experiences for state employees, but to advance goals for sustainability, inclusive contracting and agency collaboration,” said DES Director Matt Jones. “This project lays the groundwork for other states to replicate the strategy.”
DES’ customers and partners are extremely pleased with the improved efficiency of the two-card system.
“This has been huge for our team,” said Annette Sloan, agency transportation officer, Department of Children, Youth and Families. “This amazing transition has been very beneficial for our drivers and made their charging experience much more efficient.”
Hear more from our customers and partners in a short video.
Learn more about the pilot project.