ZEF Energy’s Mission
Partner to create a zero emissions future
ZEF Energy’s mission is to help support a reliable, low emissions transition to electric vehicles. We are a passionate group of software, hardware, development, and policy experts that craft smart transportation electrification solutions. These solutions are simple, nimble, and bring additional social benefit to our communities. We believe in accessible, convenient, and low burden offerings that support the economy as well as the environment.
How We Deliver on Our Mission
By developing higher value electric fueling solutions
What We Value
1. Running a business should be energizing, challenging, fun and authentic
2. Doing the right thing
3. Seeking to understand and work from a place of curiosity, not one of assumption
4. Offering high-value and delightful customer solutions
5. Partnerships are fundamental to who we are and encompass internal collaborations as well as customers and communities
6. Investing back in our own community and make products that support U.S. and Midwest jobs
Who We Serve
Workplaces and destination sites
Campus areas
Retail, hospitality, and convenience stores
Utilities and utility partners
Local governments
Fleet operators (light, medium, and heavy-duty)
Multifamily building (condo and rental)
We also collaborate with government entities, nonprofits, and research institutions on technical and policy related research.
Our Origin Story
Interested in reducing his impact on the environment and human health, ZEF Energy Founder and CEO Matthew Blackler began driving his first electric vehicle in 2014. But there was a problem: with no DC fast chargers available in Minnesota at the time, fully charging his EV took up to eight hours. Seeing an opportunity to help make EV ownership more accessible and utilize his background in clean technology, Matthew founded ZEF in 2014.
Within the first year, ZEF installed nearly 20 DC fast chargers and played a vital role in establishing a charging network that’s allowed thousands of Minnesota drivers to feel confident making the transition to EV. Partnerships with Nissan and Goodwill Easter-Seals Minnesota helped further expand the ZEF network, and in September of 2017 ZEF completed a fast-charging corridor from the Twin Cities to Duluth, MN–the first of its kind in all five surrounding states!
As mass EV adoption grew, Matthew set his sights on a new goal: accommodating the increase in EV drivers by reducing strain on the electrical grid. Established in 2018, ZEF Energy’s smart charging software and program solutions continue to allow utility companies, fleet operators, and public charging owners to operate chargers efficiently and in a way that supports beneficial electrification. This is achieved by easily measuring and managing charger usage through the ZEFNET platform services. These services optimize utility infrastructure and generation resources and help keeps energy bills low and EV adoption high.
Driven by a Technical Leader | CEO Matthew Blackler
Most companies do not enjoy the benefits of being led by a technical leader. ZEF Energy has been built from the ground up by CEO Matthew Blackler, working hard with the rest of the ZEF team. Beyond demonstrating a true understanding of teamwork and collaboration, Blackler leads from a place of technical leads from a place of technical problem solving and partnership. His software and hardware development expertise allows ZEF to move quickly on new innovations and drive more directly towards user-facing solutions. Blackler also brings an inherent interest in “doing the right thing” and striving to make positive social impact as a normal course of business. These capabilities and values are part of the fabric of the company and each team member at ZEF.
ZEF Partners and Customers
ZEF Energy believes in collaboration and long-term partnerships. We have technology partners, distribution partners, and customer partners. See a sample of these partners below:
Company Development History
2014 ZEF Energy incorporated as a company, initially worked on solar development work
2015 Developed the first ZEF Energy Level 2 charger
2016 Started a collaboration with Nissan and installed first set of networked DC fast chargers (MN/WI)
2017 Launched ZEFNET, the smart charging software and network platform that is designed, developed, and operated by ZEF Energy
2017 Awarded the Michigan to Montana (M2M) grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to install DC fast chargers along the I-94 and I-90 corridors in the Upper Midwest
2017 Launched first set of utility smart charging pilot programs to allow for data collection and residential and commercial customer choice
2017 Collaborated with NREL/MPCA and other research organizations on solar + EV integration research
2019 Won first of multiple VW grants to develop corridor charging (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency)
2019 Beyond extensive collaboration with cooperative utilities, Wright Hennepin Cooperative invested in ZEF Energy