August 13, 2025 | BOMA International, Ella Krygiel
The industrial real estate industry consumes a lot of energy. From data centers to warehouses, many of the big players in the industry are considering ways to improve their operational efficiency, with electrification emerging as a leading approach. The development of electric vehicles (EVs), for example, has become an environmentally friendly way to lower energy consumption and emissions. And the EV market shows promise to expand. According to Allied Market Research, the electric utility vehicle market was valued at $8.59 billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach $24.98 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 11.4% from 2022 to 2031. However, despite this growth, implementing EVs into industrial facilities does not come without its challenges. Here to talk about these trends and more is Prateek Suri, Senior Program Manager of Forth — an organization dedicated to increasing equitable access to electric vehicles, charging, and other clean energy solutions through programs, policy, and events.
Challenges and Opportunities in Clean Energy Adoption
When asked about his experience at Forth, Suri shared what surprised him most about the opportunities in clean energy adoption: “One of the most surprising insights has been how quickly momentum can build once key barriers are removed — especially around education, access, and infrastructure. The real game changer isn’t the technology — it’s the roadmap. Once organizations see a clear path forward, adoption accelerates dramatically.” An article by Mecalux aligns with this view, demonstrating a couple of leading businesses that are adopting electric vehicles to enhance sustainability and operational efficiency:
- DHL: The German logistics company aims to electrify more than 66% of its last-mile delivery fleet by 2030.
- FedEx: The business is leveraging technology to move closer towards its goal of an all-electric pickup and delivery fleet by 2040.
In addition to these companies making strides to electrify their operations, Suri shares an important program that could help: “Through Forth programs like EVAL (Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership) and Charge at Home, we’ve learned that when we provide hands-on support and clear recognition pathways, property owners across commercial and multifamily are much more likely to take meaningful action.” EVAL is a national workplace EV charging certification program backed by the U.S. Department of Energy. They certify employers for a range of initiatives such as providing EV charging and options for carpooling, biking and public transport for sustainable work commutes. Programs like this incentives teams to be mindful when it comes to their carbon footprint.
“The opportunity lies in scaling this support across sectors and geographies to normalize clean transportation and smart mobility solutions,” Suri says. “This demonstrates a company’s commitment to their team, fostering a more engaged, connected and satisfied workplace.”
EV Implementation Strategies
EVs are increasingly being adopted across industrial environments to reduce emissions, fuel costs and maintenance requirements, however, there are certain considerations that these facilities need to consider if they will be implementing charging stations. Plant Engineering shares a few tips to help strategize:
- Understand how the EV charging system will be used: Conduct a feasibility analysis before planning EV charging infrastructure (EVCI) deployment to determine what’s needed to meet charging needs into the future.
- Use software to optimize EVCI functionality: Implement software that enables multiuse EV charging by differentiating between fleet and visitor usage.
- Stretch the capabilities of existing energy infrastructure: Perform a complete load analysis before installing EV chargers of any voltage and thoroughly test load shedding capabilities to ensure critical loads are not sacrificed when EV charging demand exceeds available panel capacity.
“The industrial sector is uniquely positioned to lead in fleet electrification and workplace charging due to its scale and vehicle-intensive operations,” Suri says. “By implementing scalable infrastructure and planning for the future, you’ll stay ahead of industry trends, meet evolving regulations, and ensure your workplace is prepared for the future of sustainable commuting all while unlocking increased value for your property.”
EV Adoption: Future Outlook
“Over the next 3–5 years, we anticipate a major shift in how industrial facilities manage energy use and vehicle operations,” Suri says. Looking ahead, as EV adoption increases, he predicts that for commercial fleets, especially, facilities will need to:
- Adopt smarter energy management systems.
- Build out onsite charging infrastructure.
- Coordinate with utilities to handle increased electrical loads.
Suri also expects workforce expectations to play a larger role, with employers investing in EV charging and commute options as part of broader employee retention strategies and greater ROI in the future. This employer-driven demand aligns with broader market projections. According to Autobody News, EVs are on track to comprise 50% of U.S. new-car sales by 2030. As both employee expectations and consumer behavior shift towards EVs, businesses investing in charging infrastructure today may be positioning themselves ahead of the curve.
Suri shares his final thoughts for the future of industrial real estate: “In this transition, industrial real estate will evolve from passive space providers to active energy hubs—supporting not only logistics and production, but clean mobility and grid resiliency.”
Interested in more content like this? Read our recent articles, The Politics of Warehousing or Four Experts on the Fourth Industrial Revolution. You can view all this content and more when you click here to sign up for our Industrial newsletter.