Manhattan Beer Distributors is not just the fourth-largest beer distributor in the United States but also the largest single-market beer distributor in the country, headquartered in New York City. With a long-standing commitment to innovation, Manhattan Beer has taken bold steps in reducing tailpipe emissions by focusing on the electrification of its fleet.
Pioneering change in the industry
Manhattan Beer’s commitment to minimizing emissions began long before their foray into electric vehicles. As the first company in the northeast to convert its diesel trucks to compressed natural gas (CNG), the distributor has continuously sought ways to innovate. This forward-thinking approach led to their collaboration with Volvo Trucks, marking the beginning of a significant transition from CNG to heavy-duty electric vehicles (EVs).
The challenge: Managing an EV fleet
In this transition, one key challenge emerged: efficient charge management. As Manhattan Beer added five heavy-duty Volvo VNR electric trucks—the first of their kind on the East Coast—the company installed three electric vehicle chargers, each with two charge ports. However, the chargers lacked integrated charge management software. Without a way to monitor the charging process in real-time, the fleet struggled to optimize energy use, ensure vehicle readiness, and understand power demand across their operations.
The role of automated charge management
With the goal of reducing tailpipe emissions still central to their mission, Manhattan Beer sought a solution to optimize their new EV fleet. To address this, they worked with bp pulse charge management software, Omega, to integrate automated charging for their fleet. Omega’s software allowed the distributor to automate charging schedules, ensuring that the trucks were charged during off-peak hours to take advantage of lower utility rates.
Using Omega, Manhattan Beer is estimated to have saved over $22,000 (48%) in electricity costs in H1 of 2024.*
In addition to lowering energy costs, Omega’s software helped Manhattan Beer avoid peak demand charges, reduce operational costs, and streamline charging operations by automating the entire process. This allowed the fleet to operate with greater efficiency, with each truck ready to go when the workday started.
*Compared to data modeled estimated costs for unmanaged charging without load management during the same time period (Jan-June 2024). Exact savings for your fleet can vary based on factors including your utility rates, charging strategy, and equipment uptime.
Scaling up: The future of electrification
Manhattan Beer’s transition to electric trucks is just the beginning. The company started with five electric vehicles and plans to add more to its fleet as technology evolves. The integration of charge management software was key to making the transition smoother and more efficient, and as new models and equipment become available, Omega’s technology ensures compatibility, allowing Manhattan Beer to scale their infrastructure without needing to replace existing systems.
By choosing a technology-agnostic solution, Manhattan Beer can continue to evolve its operations as it adds new vehicles, chargers, and other equipment. This flexibility helps the company stay ahead of the curve, ensuring that it can meet its goals while maintaining a competitive edge in the industry.
Lessons learned and future prospects
Manhattan Beer’s experience highlights a critical lesson for businesses looking to electrify their fleets: charge management is an integral part of the process. While the shift to EVs is a significant step toward reducing emissions, the ability to effectively manage charging schedules, optimize energy consumption, and maintain uptime is just as crucial.
As more companies explore electrification, Manhattan Beer’s journey offers valuable insights into the challenges and solutions for managing a large-scale EV fleet. With the right tools, businesses can not only reduce their environmental impact but also improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.
