In a logistics world racing to electrify, charging infrastructure remains a massive bottleneck - too slow, too expensive and too dependent on utility timelines. 

To tackle this challenge, Orange EV, a manufacturer of purpose-built electric Class 8 trucks, has created and invested in OptiGrid.

OptiGrid is a new U.S.-based company delivering battery-integrated fast charging solutions for fleets.

Ultrafast EV Charging

Headquartered in Kansas City, Kansas, OptiGrid eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming grid upgrades with a drop-in platform that pairs ultrafast EV charging with onboard battery storage.

Designed specifically for fleet operators, OptiGrid’s solution reduces wait times for deployment, offering high uptime, low maintenance and the lowest total cost of ownership of any DC fast charger.

OptiGrid builds on the foundational technology developed by FreeWire Technologies, an early pioneer in battery-buffered fast charging. 

FreeWire’s breakthrough was to integrate battery storage, AC-to-DC conversion, power management and fast charger in one self-contained unit.

This makes it possible to deploy ultrafast chargers in power-constrained locations without complex site work or utility delays, the company said.

Despite strong interest, FreeWire struggled to manufacture its product affordably and consistently, leading to downtime and rising support costs that ultimately outpaced the company’s ability to sustain operations. 

Trucking industry veteran Wayne Hoovestol recognized the core value of FreeWire’s technology and acquired its assets, including the intellectual property and engineering team, to focus on solving the issues of manufacturing reliability and serviceability while preserving the benefits of rapid, grid-independent deployment.

Orange EV’s Strategic Backing

To operationalize his vision and accelerate commercialization, Hoovestol partnered with Kurt Neutgens and Wayne Mathisen, the founders of Orange EV, to create OptiGrid. 

Orange EV provides the U.S. manufacturing foundation and market access needed to bring OptiGrid’s reengineered charging platform to fleets at scale.

“We’ve seen firsthand how infrastructure delays can slow down fleet electrification efforts,” said Kurt Neutgens, founder and president at Orange EV. “OptiGrid gives us a turnkey, fleet-ready system with low cost of ownership and the flexibility of optional leasing to reduce capital barriers.”

Today, OptiGrid has a growing team of 50 employees across California, Colorado and Kansas, and is preparing for commercial launch later this year. 

Orange EV is OptiGrid’s first strategic partner and launch customer, enabling the delivery of seamless electrification for industrial fleets with end-to-end solutions, from vehicle to charger, delivered and supported by a U.S. team.

Proven Leadership and U.S. Operations

Tyler Phillipi, a veteran of the EV charging and mobility tech space, was named OptiGrid CEO in April 2025. 

Phillipi previously led product and growth at FlexCharging, founded Halo Automotive, a Techstars-backed connected vehicle startup, and served as CEO of two other startups. 

With a background spanning hardware, software and energy services, and three successful exits, he brings deep technical and entrepreneurial experience to OptiGrid’s mission.

“Fleet electrification has outpaced infrastructure, creating a gap that legacy utilities and traditional charging solutions can’t fill fast enough,” Phillipi said. “The next era deserves more than promises; it demands performance. OptiGrid delivers a leap forward: rapid installs, high uptime, and true grid independence made here in the U.S.”

Built for the Realities of Fleet Electrification

OptiGrid chargers deliver ultra-fast EV charging anywhere without the need for costly utility or site upgrades, the company said.

Each unit includes a 180-kWh battery that charges slowly from the grid or renewables, enabling rapid deployment. Fleet operators benefit from significantly reduced energy costs by avoiding peak demand charges and other energy services, all while maintaining full flexibility to charge when and where needed.

Benefits include:

• Fast deployment: Deployment in days/weeks instead of months/years by avoiding grid upgrades and extensive site construction projects.

• Minimal CapEx: Simple and fast installation minimizes upfront costs, and flexible financing structures can convert CapEx to OpEx.

• Low OpEx: Highly reliable system with minimal downtime controls energy costs by leveraging an integrated battery to avoid demand charges and peak energy rates.

• Flexibility: Deploy charging infrastructure incrementally as the fleet size increases and with the flexibility to relocate charging infrastructure easily if necessary.

• Real-World Proven: Both OptiGrid and Orange EV have hundreds of chargers already deployed. This new release is currently undergoing field validation through Orange EV’s fleet network.

• Vehicle Compatibility: Launching with support for CCS and NACS and backed by a team with combined decades of experience with EV charging to ensure interoperability.

• Smart Management: OptiGrid’s Asset Management Platform (AMP) provides charger station management and monitoring, including data insights available in the platform or via open APIs (OCPP) integrations.