ElectroTempo, a leading analytics platform for energy infrastructure planning, and CALSTART, a global clean transportation non-profit, today announced a partnership to support the development of the East Coast Commercial ZEV Corridor, a transformative initiative to electrify freight movement along the I-95 highway from New Jersey to Georgia. Funded by a $1.2 million U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant, the project will create a blueprint for strategic, equitable deployment of medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure along one of the nation’s busiest freight routes. The collaboration will yield a robust understanding of the I-95 corridor’s development possibilities including a map of opportunities for innovation and investment. The project moves beyond reactive studies, using modeling to:

• Guide utilities in proactive grid upgrades.
• Aggregate demand from fleets, ports, and logistics hubs to justify shared infrastructure.
• Align public and private investments with high-priority sites.

In anticipation of the partnership announcement, below are responses from ElectroTempo and CALSTART respectively:

“Ports are complex ecosystems where traditional forecasting often falls short,” said Dr. Ann Xu, Co-founder and CEO of ElectroTempo. “Our data-driven approach ensures infrastructure is sited where it’s needed most, reducing risks for utilities and investors while accelerating fleet adoption.” 

“We are entering a new era where we have the modeling tools to shape growth and economic integration,” said Michael Joseph, Senior Manager, Market Development. “This isn’t just about compliance anymore. It’s about smarter growth—using data-driven strategic planning to unlock efficiencies, attract investment, and future-proof the region’s economy.”

The partnership will complement CALSTART's collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which is providing the regional modeling of vehicle adoption, with ElectroTempo's port-focused analysis integrating seamlessly into NREL's broader corridor scenarios. Specifically, ElectroTempo’s platform will:

• Model port-related freight flows to validate infrastructure demand forecasts.
• Simulate charging strategies for port fleets, which often operate on unique schedules.
• Identify optimal sites for charging hubs that align with regional grid capacity and freight patterns.

This joint effort also underscores the importance of data-driven planning in the transition to zero-emission commercial transportation. By providing proactive insights into infrastructure demand, the project aims to accelerate investment, optimize resource allocation, and foster collaboration among stakeholders.

The East Coast Commercial ZEV Corridor project is set to conclude later this year, with recommendations for strategic infrastructure deployment along the I-95 corridor. Onboarding the ElectroTempo platform with project participants ensures that stakeholders transition the study findings into procurement and operational practice post-project.

About the East Coast Commercial ZEV Corridor
The I-95 corridor handles 15% of U.S. freight traffic, connecting major East Coast ports, manufacturing hubs, and densely populated urban centers. With states like Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts already leading in clean vehicle manufacturing, hydrogen hubs, and incentive programs, this project will unify regional efforts to accelerate infrastructure investment.

The ambitious initiative seeks to create an infrastructure backbone that advances the next generation of freight technologies, improves public health outcomes, and drives regional economic growth. 

CALSTART’s leadership, in collaboration with partners, is bringing together industry, utilities, communities, and government agencies to deliver a bold strategy for medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) zero-emission freight along the Eastern Seaboard.