How AC Grad FleetCarma is charging ahead with electric vehicles
It’s not easy to get in the front door at the FleetCarma, (formerly CrossChasm), offices. Seriously, the front door is really hard to find. But that’s okay, because their primary focus isn’t foot traffic anyhow. And they’re working on some big changes inside.
The Accelerator Centre Graduate, and recent recipient of $430,000 from the Sustainable Development Technology Canada’s (SDTC) SD Tech Fund™, has just made a major strategic pivot. With the electric vehicle industry at a tipping point, they have decided to focus on developing solutions targeted at overcoming the challenges of buying and operating electric vehicles, especially in fleets.
While it’s a complete change from consulting with manufacturers to design and prototype next-generation electric vehicles, they feel it’s a move in the right direction. Now that more electric vehicles are being made, people need the tools to help make the most of this technology.
In the midst of all these transitions, we caught up with CEO, Matt Stevens to discuss the AC’s 10th Anniversary and reflect on his time as one of the first 10 companies to participate in the newly created development and commercialization program.
Matt became interested in electric vehicles during his time at the University of Waterloo, where he earned a PhD in engineering. He met his co-founders in the University of Waterloo Alternative Fuels Team (UWAFT) when they participated in a smart car challenge developing a hybrid fuel cell for the Chevy Equinox. Even better, they won!
After graduation, mentor John Bell referred Matt and his colleagues to the Accelerator Centre in 2007. Upon entering the program, he recalls that he got a huge lesson in humility. “Going in, I thought that good technology was 90% of the equation. In reality, it was more like 5%.”
To demonstrate this point of the role of technology on its own, he provided this visual.
He also learned that “As the CEO, you’re not the quarterback or the coach, you’re probably the general manager. Your job is to put the right people in the right places and get out of the way.”
According to Matt, one of the most influential aspects of their time at the AC was working with the in-house mentors. They helped him and his company in the areas that needed the most attention, like sales and marketing as well as public relations.
Since graduating in 2011, they have participated in the development of many electric vehicles, including a stealth snowmobile and mining equipment. Due to the length of the development timeline, the world will continue to see vehicles they helped design well into 2020. But, with FleetCarma’s new focus on helping industries adapt their fleets, we will also see more of these vehicles in real-world applications.
THE RUNDOWN
Family: He and his wife, Amanda, have a 17-month-old daughter, Blake and will welcome a second daughter in May.
Business hero: Seth Godin
Person he’d like to have lunch with: His daughter, Blake
Guilty pleasure: Peanut M&Ms
The best piece of advice you’ve ever received: Build a not-to-do list.
Things most people don’t know:
- He was one of three kids to help at the groundbreaking of the Canadian Tire Centre.
- He still plays hockey.
- As a kid he rode dirt bikes and had a special talent for landing in rivers.
The announcement of the funding made today onsite at Cross Chasm by the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services on behalf of the Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources. The funding was provided through Sustainable Development Technology Canada’s (SDTC) SD Tech Fund™ in support of two transportation projects that will further the Government of Canada’s goal of creating and protecting jobs and opportunities.
