Accelerating Laradon’s Electric Vehicle Fleet Conversion with ezEV
Founded by Joseph and Elizabeth Calabrese in 1948, Laradon (named after the Calabrese’s two sons, Larry and Don) empowers children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), enabling them to embrace possibility and reach their full potential. It stands as the first charitable organization in the Rocky Mountain region to offer education and training to children with developmental disabilities. Laradon has consistently earned recognition for its innovative approach to providing education and training for individuals in the IDD community.
Historical Image of Laradon Hall above sourced from Laradon website.
Today, Laradon's approximately 200 full and part-time employees serve the community from its 10-acre campus located in Denver, CO’s Globeville neighborhood. Among its many services, Laradon provides transportation to its school, Adult Day Program, Employment Program, and for individuals in the organization's Residential Program.
The Graphic above visualizes Individuals served FY 2024 - 2025. Source Laradon Website
In line with its vision of innovation, the organization has been exploring electric vehicle fleet conversion opportunities for several years. Laradon now operates three electric shuttle vans and two electric E-Transit vans.
Navigating the challenges of electric vehicle fleet conversion
Laradon's fleet of 32 vehicles includes 21 full size passenger vans. Of these, 9 are equipped with wheelchair lifts and are configured to safely accommodate the needs of their passengers, presenting a significant and complex challenge when considering electric vehicle (EV) fleet conversion. Factors such as limited model availability for specialized vehicles, increased upfront purchase prices, and concerns regarding vehicle range and functionality with added weight and energy demands are valid considerations for fleets operating vehicles with powered upfits, and are factors Laradon actively considers in its fleet analysis. Despite these inherent complexities, Laradon participated in the Xcel Energy FEAP (Fleet Electrification Advisory Program) to explore further electrification options.
Data-driven analysis for fleet electrification suitability
The complexity of Laradon’s fleet led them to engage with Sawatch Labs, a WEX Company. Sawatch’s advanced analytics capabilities were the science and data Laradon needed before moving forward with further electrification. Utilizing 12 months of historical telematics data (October 2022 through September 2023), Sawatch Labs conducted a comprehensive analysis of the operational patterns for 30 vehicles in Laradon's fleet. The assessment rigorously projected their performance as electric vehicles currently available on the market.
This electric vehicle fleet conversion assessment incorporated organization-specific parameters, including upfit weights, costs, and the precise energy requirements needed to power the wheelchair lifts based on actual observed utilization. The analysis further considered other real-world variables to enhance the accuracy of projected energy requirements, including:
Driver behavior: How driving styles impact energy consumption.
Topography: The impact elevation changes have on range.
Vehicle speed: How speed correlates to energy use.
Idle time: The amount of energy consumed during stationary periods, especially for vehicles with powered upfits.
Seasonal temperature fluctuations: The impact of ambient temperatures on EV battery performance.
During the observation period, ambient temperatures in Denver ranged from -9 degrees Fahrenheit to 97 degrees Fahrenheit. By including nearly a full year of operational data, Sawatch Labs accurately modeled the impact of these temperature variations on EV range. Shifts in fleet operations and route variability throughout the seasons also played a role.
The summary below is from Laradon’s ezEV dashboard and shows high level analytical findings along with information about the period of observation. The total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis includes grant funding available to Laradon.
The summary information above was taken from Laradon’s ezEV dashboard.
At the time of the study, 17 of the 30 vehicles analyzed were equipped with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) wheelchair lifts. Sawatch Labs incorporated granular telematics data to analyze the precise energy consumption associated with these upfits. Laradon operates two types of upfits: side-mounted and rear-mounted wheelchair lifts, each with different costs, weights, and energy requirements. The variability in vehicle use patterns and frequency of lift engagement necessitates careful consideration in selecting suitable candidates for electric vehicle fleet conversion.
Each of these configurations presents a unique set of considerations in terms of initial investment costs, overall vehicle weight implications, and varying energy consumption requirements. The upfit configurations used by Laradon are pictured below.
The images above show examples of the two types of lift configurations used in Laradon vehicles. Source: BraunAbility
The diverse nature of Laradon's vehicle use patterns further compounds the complexity of fleet management. Vehicles are used for a variety of purposes, leading to significant variations in daily mileage, operational routes, and the frequency with which the wheelchair lifts are engaged. For instance, some vehicles might be used for frequent, short-distance transport with numerous lift deployments throughout the day, while others undertake longer, less frequent journeys with intermittent lift usage.
This inherent variability in vehicle use patterns and the differing demands placed on the wheelchair lifts necessitate a meticulous and strategic approach when identifying suitable EV candidates for a comprehensive fleet conversion. A successful transition to an electric fleet hinges on a thorough understanding of how each EV model operates. This includes its range, battery capacity, charging infrastructure needs, and performance under varying loads. You will want to align recommended EVs with the specific operational profiles of Laradon's diverse vehicle types and their respective lift systems. Careful consideration must be given to ensuring that the chosen EV models can reliably support the energy demands of both vehicle propulsion and lift operation, without compromising efficiency or service delivery.
This inclusion of upfit energy consumption played an important role in accurately predicting vehicle range and overall energy requirements for Laradon’s fleet. Consideration as to the additional weight and significant energy demands of the lifts was essential. The inclusion of these granular data inputs ensured an accurate analysis and provided Laradon staff with a valuable reference for making the most sound future EV procurement decisions. The image below displays the results of a Laradon owned vehicle analyzed by Sawatch. Note its associated upfit or special vehicle configuration requirements.
Image above taken from the Laradon ezEV dashboard Single Vehicle page.
Unlocking cost savings and environmental benefits
Initially, Sawatch Labs' analysis revealed that upfront EV costs presented a significant barrier to electrification for Laradon. However, the strategic integration of Colorado Clean Transit Enterprise (CTE) grant funds transformed the outlook, enabling a recommendation of 28 suitable EV candidates out of 30 vehicles, projecting an estimated $2.5 million in savings over eight years if all were replaced. This substantial financial benefit underscores the long-term economic advantages of electrification when planned strategically. Furthermore, after accounting for electricity generation, the analysis revealed a potential reduction of 851 Tons of GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions if these 28 ICE vehicles were replaced with electric models.
One of the most encouraging findings from the Sawatch Labs analysis concerned the operational impact of the new electric fleet. The analysis projected that the vast majority of the 28 vehicles deemed suitable for conversion would not require midday charging. Of those that did, the midday charging needs were projected to be infrequent, ranging from none at all to a maximum of three times per month. This particular data point was notable, as it indicated a minimal disruption to Laradon’s current operations. The ability to integrate electric vehicles into their fleet without significant changes to current vehicle use patterns meant that most of the established routines and schedules could remain unchanged. This had the effect of streamlining the transition process and minimizing operational friction. This seamless integration further bolstered the feasibility and long-term success of Laradon's electric vehicle fleet conversion project.
Optimizing charging infrastructure with ezIO
Beyond vehicle suitability, successful EV fleet conversion hinges on a robust and efficient charging infrastructure. The Sawatch Labs ezIO application is specifically designed to help fleet managers, sustainability teams, and facility staff understand what the projected EV charging demand will be. This helps them optimize infrastructure planning.
ezIO identified for Laradon exactly where charging infrastructure would be needed to support future electric vehicles. The detailed analytics showed the projected peak charging demand each month and the daily demand curves at each potential charging location. A key feature of ezIO includes the ability to set seasonal and time-of-use energy rates, enabling users to model various charging scenarios and identify the most cost-effective charging times.
Leveraging Laradon’s operational data, Sawatch identified the need to establish two unique charging depots so vehicles could charge with minimal impact on operations. The recommended number and capacity of charging ports were aligned with specific vehicle profiles. This allowed Laradon to plan vehicle replacement in alignment with their projected charging station plans.
Detailed analytics of Laradon’s daily vehicle operational patterns provided insight into the projected peak charging demand each month and the daily demand curves at each location. These findings offered additional cost-saving opportunities. Sawatch’s analysis directly pointed to a potential to further reduce peak demand at the organization's primary projected charging location through smart charging strategies saving the company money.
The image below, taken from the Laradon ezIO dashboard, shows the projected monthly kW Demand Peaks for each month Sawatch studied.
Monthly Projected kW Demand Peaks during the period of observation (ezIO).
The graph below plots the daily projected power demand (kW) required for a fully electric Laradon fleet. The peaks represent periods when a large number of vehicles return to the depot and begin charging simultaneously, coinciding with grid-wide peak demand hours (e.g., late afternoon/early evening). These synchronized charging events, if unmanaged, can create significant and costly spikes in electricity consumption, leading to high utility "demand charges."
Primary Location Daily Projected kW Demand Peaks (ezIO)
By analyzing these demand profiles, Sawatch could identify specific opportunities to reduce peak loads. This strategy is typically referred to as “load shifting” where instead of all vehicles charging immediately upon return, charging stations are programmed to stagger charging sessions or prioritize charging during off-peak hours when electricity rates are significantly lower. This "load shifting" flattens the demand curve and reduces overall electricity costs.
From Data to Deployment: Laradon's Electrification Success
Pictured above: One of Laradon’s new eTransit vans equipped with ADA lift.
Laradon has significantly advanced its EV fleet by purchasing two new E-Transit vans, acquired through Colorado Clean Transit Enterprise (CTE) grant funds. These funds were awarded in part due to insights gleaned from Sawatch Labs' ezEV and ezIO studies With the addition of these new vans, Laradon's fleet now successfully operates five fully-electric vans. The organization is currently optimizing its Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) infrastructure plans. Infrastructure decisions were guided by comprehensive data and conclusions from Sawatch’s research. This analytical and strategic approach to EV fleet conversion establishes Laradon as a frontrunner in sustainable transportation for specialized fleets. Laradon’s electrification journey illustrates the concrete benefits of data-informed electrification initiatives.