The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) invites fleet professionals, sustainability managers and decision-makers to the seventh annual Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference & Expo. On August 15 and 16, 2023, more than 300 attendees are expected to gather at the Raleigh Convention Center in downtown Raleigh, NC to discover the latest and greatest in sustainable fleet technology, operations and implementation. Pre-conference events will also be held on August 14, 2023. 

NCCETC hosts the annual Sustainable Fleet Technology (SFT) Conference & Expo to showcase alternative fuel technologies in the biofuels, electric, natural gas, and propane arenas, with a strong focus on data-driven decisions and best practices. SFT 2023 will provide a platform for leading fleets and technology providers to share industry ideas, trends, strategies and technologies that will improve efficiency and sustainability of fleet operations. 

“The SFT Conference is a great opportunity for fleet and transportation professionals to experience the latest vehicle technologies, tools and resources designed to increase efficiency and reduce emissions,” said Heather Brutz, Director of the Clean Transportation program at NCCETC.

Connecting the Clean Transportation Community Since 2014

NCCETC first held a Southeast Alternative Fuels Conference in 2014 to expand education, training and networking on advanced clean transportation technologies. The 2014 conference was held at the Raleigh Convention Center. In 2017 the conference was renamed the Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference & Expo and it has been held on an annual basis since then, even going virtual for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The 2017 SFT Conference was held in Raleigh Convention Center and 220 people attended the inaugural event. The conference focused on educating fleet managers about ways that they can reduce emissions in their fleets through the use of alternative fuels and other technologies that improve fleet efficiency. 

The SFT Conference then moved to the Durham Convention Center for 2018 and 2019. At SFT 2018, over 40 exhibitors showcased their products, services, and vehicles in the Expo Hall. Plug-in and hybrid electric vehicles from Toyota, Mitsubishi, Chevy, and Chrysler were on display, as well as other vehicles fueled by natural gas and propane, including a heavy-duty Freightliner CNG trash roll-off hoist truck. In 2019, the displays expanded outside of the convention center, including a propane-powered bus, all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, a solar-powered vehicle charging station, an electric-powered bucket truck, natural gas vehicles, electric utility vehicles, an electric school bus, electric motorcycle, and more.

SFT moved online in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference shifted into a series of live webinars focused on best practices to make fleets run more efficiently, with award-winning and expert speakers.The 2021 SFT Virtual Conference had a total of 900 registered attendees over the course of 11 webinars offered at no-cost to registrants. All webinar recordings and resources are available to stream online now so you can access on-demand knowledge and expertise from fleet managers across the country.

Last year, NCCETC welcomed more than 350 registered attendees in Durham, NC for the 2022 SFT Conference & Expo which was held in-person at the Durham Convention Center. “It was inspiring to see professionals from different industries and backgrounds coming together to exchange ideas for improving the sustainability of transportation in our state and beyond,” said Brutz.  During expo hall hours, attendees were able to network with more than 60 exhibitors while exploring over a dozen vehicles inside and outside of the convention center, with displays including all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, a plug-in electric power take-off solution bucket truck, a solar-powered light tower, a long-range electric low-speed utility vehicle, and more. 

SFT will be returning to the Raleigh Convention Center for 2023 to take advantage of their large exhibit hall space. “We’re excited to be in the Raleigh Convention Center again,” Brutz said. “The space in their exhibit hall is a great fit for us to be able to showcase all of the heavy, medium, and light-duty vehicles in one place for attendees to explore.”

The exhibit hall is already filling up for the 2023 conference. Exhibitors registered for SFT 2023 include AssetWorks; Alliance Autogas; Kempower; Southeast Propane Alliance; Propane Education & Research Council; Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition; Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition; Triangle Clean Cities Coalition; Cary Cart Company, Lightning eMotors; Advanced Energy; DC-America; Daimler Truck NA/Thomas Built Buses/Freightliner Custom Chassis; North Carolina Department of Transportation; Piedmont Natural Gas; Verizon Connect; Pakistan Smart Energy; ZEVX Inc.; Guardian Fueling Technologies; bp pulse; Revels Turf & Tractor Co.; Forward Thinking Systems, LLC; Atom Power; Sourcewell; NAFA Fleet Management Association; Pioneer Power e-Mobility Solutions; The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company; ROUSH CleanTech; Faster Asset Solutions; Webasto Charging Systems, Inc.; and PortFi.

Al Curtis, Fleet Services Director for the Cobb County Government, has been attending the SFT Conference since 2017 when he was a speaker for the Telematics for Fleets session. “Over the last 6 years I have utilized much of the information and presentations seen and heard at the conferences,” said Curtis. “This has allowed me to elevate employee training efforts in all levels to continue building our foundation to enhance future growth.” 

Curtis finds the diverse content offered at SFT to be particularly helpful for fleets looking to leverage advanced technology to improve overall customer experience. “I encourage all fleet professionals that want to learn new and innovative strategies to add to their toolbox to attend and network with some of the best in the business at SFT 2023,” Curtis added.

Who should attend?

• Public & Private Fleet Managers
• Purchasing Officials
• State Government Leaders
• Municipal Government Officials
• Non-Profit Stakeholders
• Clean Cities Coalitions & Stakeholders
• Alternative Fuel Trade Organizations
• Sustainability Managers
• Academic Leaders & Researchers

What’s on the agenda?

Attendees of SFT 2023 can anticipate comprehensive presentations delivered by acclaimed speakers and transportation specialists who will share their top techniques and valuable insights to enhance the efficiency of fleets. The sessions will cover a wide range of topics, with a particular emphasis on data-based decisions, tools and technologies from real-world applications of public and private fleets across the nation. 

“The in-depth information in the specific sessions is the most valuable, providing ongoing learning and a deeper understanding of the ever-changing fleet and fueling environments,” shared Chris Davis, Fleet Manager for the City of Charlotte’s Department of Transportation. “I have been to all the previous Sustainable Fleet, and Technology conferences you’ve held, and this conference gets better and better.”

The conference agenda features groundbreaking opportunities for achieving successful and sustainable fleet management– from straightforward approaches such as implementing idle-reduction strategies to more complex operations like optimizing fleet charging equipment management. 

Pre-conference events on Monday, August 14 include:

• NAFA Sustainable Fleet Management Program (Boot Camp & Certificate Bundle) | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• First Responder Training by AFV Educate and Triangle Clean Cities | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Ride & Drive | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Green Fleets Panel | 2 – 4 p.m.
• Green Fleet Awards | 4 – 5 p.m.
• Green Fleet Awards Reception | 5:30 – 7 p.m.

SFT 2023 will begin on Tuesday, August 15 with a welcome and introduction from Heather Brutz before the opening keynote From Products to Solutions: The Next Phase of Technology delivered by Ryan Krogh, Manager of Production System Solutions at John Deere.

Read more about the opening keynote:

In today’s world, technology is a driving force behind change in every aspect of our lives, including the way we work. The next phase in technology adoption is the shift from producing products to providing innovative solutions. By embracing technology-driven solutions, companies can unlock numerous benefits, including improved efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. John Deere, a world-renowned organization that has always been at the forefront of adopting cutting-edge technological solutions, is a perfect example of industry leaders that have embraced and implemented technology solutions in their business operations. Ryan Krogh from John Deere will showcase how the company has improved its products and services by utilizing connections and insights provided by technological advancements. This presentation will highlight how John Deere’s innovative solutions have helped the company to stay ahead of the curve and how their customers have benefited from these solutions.

Following the opening keynote will be the keynote plenary From Good Ideas to Success Stories. There is a lot of hard work in between having a brilliant idea and successfully implementing it. This panel will feature experienced and successful fleet managers discussing how they managed change within their fleet in order to improve performance and sustainability.

Two keynote plenary sessions are on the agenda for Wednesday, August 16: Advancements in Medium/Heavy Duty Vehicles and Infrastructure and Advancements in Light-Duty Vehicles and Infrastructure. 

This year’s conference will have 12 breakout sessions across three tracks: 

A. FUNDING & PLANNING

1. Federal Funding Sources
2. Data for Sustainability and Success
3. Innovative Funding
4. Training for Success

B. VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES

1. New Horizons: AI and Autonomous Vehicles
2. Sustainable Trucking Solutions
3. Advancements in Engines, Powertrains, and Batteries
4. Off-Road Equipment

C. FUELING & CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE

1. Longer-Term Planning for Infrastructure Deployment
2. Managing Demand Charges
3. New Models for Fueling and Charging
4. Integrating Facility and Fleet Energy Planning

Register Now for the 2023 SFT Conference & Expo

The NC Clean Energy Technology Center hosts the annual Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference as part of its mission to advance a sustainable energy economy by educating, demonstrating and providing support for clean energy technologies, practices and policies.

Don’t miss out on future updates for the 2023 Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference- sign up for the clean transportation newsletter! More information about SFT 2023 can be found online at www.sustainablefleetexpo.com. Register for the conference here.