Executive Summary: October 23rd AEG San Antonio Stakeholder Challenge: Fleet Electrification

Overview

Held on October 23rd, 2025 at International Motors in Elmendorf, TX, thirty public and private industry leaders convened for the AEG San Antonio Stakeholder Challenge: Fleet Electrification. The purpose of this challenge was to: 1.) Align on a critical obstacle regarding energy, health and prosperity affecting San Antonio; 2.) Engage as cross sector teams to agree on a 6 month solution with a 90 day sprint. 3.) Empower leaders to deliver the solution and present the outcome in April 2026 during ETS26.

​​Tobias Glitterstam, SVP, Chief Strategy, Transformation Officer, International, ​Jonathan Tijerina, Vice President of Corporate Development, CPS Energy, Sarah Carabias Rush, President & CEO, Greater SATX Regional Economic Partnership,  provided opening remarks to frame the discussion surrounding fleet electrification for San Antonio.

Opening remarks were followed by the Speaker Challenge, where each speaker provided a presentation that concluded with this completed statement: "Regarding Fleet Electrification, to achieve San Antonio's climate, health & energy goals, a critical obstacle to collectively overcome in 12 months is _________."

5 Key Themes

1. Fleet Driver Education and Workforce Readiness

Operators are still adapting to the shift from gas to electric vehicles, often encountering confusion around different models, charging systems, and daily operations. Addressing this will require targeted driver education, consistent training protocols, and strong internal communication to ensure productivity and confidence across the fleet.

“Each EV brand and vehicle type is different. User experience is confusing… Why isn’t my vehicle charging? Why didn’t the last driver plug it in?” — Valerie von Schramm, CPS Energy

2. Data-Driven Site Selection and Pilot Deployment

Stakeholders emphasized the importance of identifying and activating key pilot locations that represent diverse vehicle types, geographies, and communities. Using data on grid capacity, air quality, and fleet readiness will help San Antonio launch visible, replicable pilots that demonstrate value and accelerate adoption.

“A critical obstacle to collectively overcome in 12 months is identifying locations for a pilot deployment.” — Lyle Hufstetler, AACOG

3. Safety Protocols for Emerging Technologies

With eVTOLs and other advanced vehicles on the horizon, San Antonio has an opportunity to lead nationally on proactive safety planning. Developing unified response protocols and first-responder training will build community trust and ensure technology adoption aligns with public safety priorities.

“To achieve San Antonio’s climate, health & energy goals, a critical obstacle… is proactively integrating safety protocols for emerging technologies.” — Kara Hill, Port San Antonio

4. Public Health and Environmental Equity

Fleet electrification presents a major opportunity to improve air quality and reduce ozone nonattainment, especially in neighborhoods most affected by heavy-duty vehicle traffic. By linking transportation electrification to tangible health outcomes, leaders can drive broader public support and equitable investment.

“Improved health outcomes: less asthma, better school attendance, improved quality of life.” — Lyle Hufstetler, AACOG

5. Cross-Sector Collaboration and Community Buy-In

Achieving fleet electrification at scale will depend on strong coordination among public agencies, utilities, OEMs, developers, and community partners. Stakeholders identified the need for greater access to funding, clearer communication of benefits, and stronger political support. Building consensus across sectors and fostering local engagement will be essential to creating the trust, financing, and policy alignment needed to move from planning to implementation.

Inspired by the statement provided by Lyle Hufstetler (AACOG), participants agreed to prioritize this selected obstacle statement:” Identifying locations for pilot deployment”. Participants then designed, and pitched 90-day sprints and 6-month objectives to best address this critical obstacle. 

11 leaders formed a volunteer Task Force to complete a 90-day sprint and 12-month objective.

Task Force Volunteers: Kevin Swiat, International (Co-Lead), Kenneth Anshewitz, Utilyze (Co-Lead), Josh Faris, ELM Companies (Deputy Lead), Brien Sheahan, International, Haydee Nunez, International, Lyle Hufstetler, Alamo Area Council of Governments, Valerie von Schramm, CPS Energy, Phillip Martin, Environmental Defense Fund, Richard Osuch, My EV Charger, Omar Riahi, Percepta, Amanda Alandzes, Texas EV

To join this group of volunteers, please contact us at info@goadvancedenergy.com.

Conclusion

The AEG San Antonio Fleet Electrification Stakeholder Challenge convened utility leaders, city officials, fleet managers, community advocates, and technology innovators to confront barriers slowing the city’s transition to cleaner transportation. The challenge highlighted the need to strengthen driver education and workforce readiness, identify data-driven pilot deployment sites, and establish proactive safety standards for emerging vehicle technologies. Key themes included linking fleet electrification to public health and air quality improvements, expanding collaboration across sectors, and securing community and political buy-in to scale adoption. As volunteer task force members move forward with a 90-day sprint and 6-month roadmap, their continued leadership will be critical to delivering a cleaner, safer, and more equitable mobility future for San Antonio.

Advanced Energy Group is a sponsor supported organization that facilitates quarterly challenges for high-impact stakeholders to deliver on health, energy and prosperity commitments for U.S. cities and vulnerable regions. To become an AEG Sponsor, learn more here: https://aeg.team/engage