ZPAC is an optional tool that supports detailed analysis of the ZEV suitability for each existing vehicle in an agency's inventory, using current estimates of future ZEV model availability, modeling of battery electric vehicle (BEV) range concerns, and the potential impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The tool allows agencies to assign a specific location to each vehicle, and then uses the projected ZEV acquisitions at those locations to identify EVSE needs. Using the ZPAC tool also ensures that replacement options will serve the vehicle mission and charging requirements and do not cause undue burden on fleet operations. More detail on the ZPAC tool is provided in the sections below.

Agency headquarters fleet electrification managers should begin evaluating fleet electrification opportunities by assembling a baseline fleet profile. This involves constructing a database for each fleet vehicle that includes the vehicle characteristics (e.g., age, type, standard item number [SIN], fuel type, etc.), location, operations, and mission data elements necessary to evaluate suitability for electrification. This is pre-populated in the ZPAC tool based on fleet data in the Federal Automotive Statistical Tool (FAST) and Fleet Sustainability Dashboard (FleetDASH). FleetDASH also contains an Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Screening Tool with most of the necessary data for General Services Administration (GSA)-leased vehicles.

The site location fleet manager should evaluate the operating characteristics for each candidate vehicle, including average and maximum daily driving range, route, and drive cycle (data points of speed vs. time), to determine whether a BEV or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) can meet the vehicle mission needs. ZPAC uses an analytical model to estimate how frequently a BEV would need to charge publicly. While public charging is more time-consuming than gasoline fueling, public chargers are becoming ubiquitous and faster, even as most EV charging continues to take place on-site for fleet vehicles.

The site location fleet manager, in coordination with the agency headquarters fleet electrification managers, should next assess whether a BEV or PHEV is suitable for the vehicle's operating mission. Some missions (e.g., unique upfitting requirements, law enforcement pursuit, extreme temperatures) may not be served by available BEVs and PHEVs.

After assessing and identifying potential candidate vehicles for electrification, the site location fleet manager, in coordination with the agency headquarters fleet electrification managers, should next refine that list to: 

• Match candidates with the availability of ZEVs from GSA or other sources
• Ensure that plans for acquisition of ZEVs are aligned with available fleet resources.

At least prior to FY 2024, the availability of ZEVs from manufacturers for the federal fleet may be limited due to either supply issues (e.g., battery availability or production limits) or demand issues (where consumer demand exceeds supply). If there are limits on available vehicles, fleet managers may have to eliminate some candidate ZEVs or choose vehicles from similar vehicle classes.

In the ZPAC tool, agency headquarters fleet electrification managers and site location fleet managers begin analysis in the "ZEV Selection" worksheet, which supports identification of ZEV candidates within agency fleets.