Whitepaper - Sawatch Labs Helps Denver Water Reduce Fleet Emissions
Sawatch Labs partnered with Denver Water, Colorado’s oldest and largest water utility, to conduct a comprehensive fleet electrification analysis aimed at reducing emissions and improving operational efficiency. With a fleet of approximately 750 assets spread across 335 square miles, Denver Water needed data-backed insights to determine which of its 490 on-road vehicles could feasibly transition to electric without disrupting essential services.
Utilizing our proprietary software suite—ezEV, ezIO, and EMIT—we delivered an in-depth review of minute-by-minute telematics data, capturing seasonal trends and real-world vehicle usage over 14 months. Our analysis revealed 63 light-duty vehicles, including SUVs and half-ton pickups, as strong candidates for electrification. The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) for these units is projected to reduce lifetime greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 1,000 tons and cut fleet total cost of ownership by $360,000.
Our ezEV tool evaluated each vehicle’s daily driving needs, total energy usage, and cost-effectiveness of EV replacements, while ezIO projected where and when vehicles would charge—providing detailed recommendations for infrastructure deployment. EMIT established an emissions baseline and continues to track emissions reduction potential across the fleet.
Beyond identifying electrification candidates, our fleet utilization analysis accounted for nuanced factors such as specialized vehicle upfits, auction resale values, fuel pricing, and kWh rate fluctuations—ensuring the accuracy and relevance of our recommendations. While medium- and heavy-duty EV replacements were not cost-effective at the time of analysis, our data showed that many Class 5 and higher vehicles could support electric operations, paving the way for future grant applications and planning.
The actionable insights from our analysis enabled Denver Water to make informed procurement decisions, resulting in the immediate acquisition of seven Ford F-150 Lightning EVs and four Chevy Blazer EVs, as well as the installation of five Level 2 charging ports across key facilities. With our support, Denver Water is not just reducing emissions—they are building a long-term, scalable electrification strategy that benefits operations, sustainability, finance, and facilities alike.
At Sawatch Labs, we help organizations turn data into strategy. If you're looking to reduce fleet emissions, right-size infrastructure, or improve fleet utilization, our team offers the clarity and confidence you need to act.
To learn more and view complete results, download our whitepaper.