Voltera Adds Thomas Ashley as Vice President of Government and Utility Relations
Ashley Brings Expertise in Utility & Regulatory Affairs to Voltera’s ZEV Infrastructure Business
HERNDON, VA, May 1, 2023 -- Voltera, a leader in enabling zero emission vehicle (ZEV) deployment and operation at scale through the development of strategically located ZEV charging facilities, has announced the hiring of Thomas Ashley as its Vice President of Government and Utility Relations. As government agencies look for partners to support the development of ZEV policies and plan for the development and deployment of EV charging infrastructure, Tom will coordinate and facilitate those discussions to help accelerate EV charging projects and to assist agencies with meeting timelines and reliability standards. He will also partner with utilities and the utility regulatory community to help assess, plan, and respond to the accelerating need for multi-megawatt EV charging sites, to better support utility customers and meet transportation electrification and decarbonization goals.
Tom brings to the role extensive policy and planning experience in clean energy, transportation, and transportation electrification. In his new position, Tom will lead Voltera's policy, regulatory, and government and utility relations strategy and engagement to help grow the electric vehicle (EV) and EV charging markets. He will work on increasing investment in charging infrastructure, expanding connectivity between EVs and the grid, growing EV equity, advancing fleet electrification, and helping develop a collaborative vision for the future of mobility, in partnership with government and the utility community.
Before joining Voltera, Tom developed and led the Policy & Market Development practice at Shell Recharge Solutions (formerly Greenlots), serving as Vice President. Tom played a leading role in the development of such industry foundations as interoperability, managed charging, and utility infrastructure investment. Tom also helped guide business and growth strategy for Greenlots/Shell Recharge Solutions, and global e-mobility policy priorities for Shell.
Prior to that, he served as the Director of Utility and Regulatory Affairs at PlugShare, where he focused on the policy frameworks necessary for vehicle-grid integration. Tom gained experience working for numerous government bodies, including the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Office of Energy and Environmental Industries of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, the Vermont Department of Public Service’s Energy Efficiency Division, and the California Public Utilities Commission. In addition, he consulted for the Electric Drive Transportation Association and briefly ran for public office in his home state of Vermont.
"We are excited to have Tom on board to lead our government and utility relations strategy and engagement. His extensive experience and proven track record of success in the industry and the policy and regulatory arenas, combined with his purposeful vision of a clean energy and zero emissions transportation future, will be invaluable as we work to scale zero-emission transportation through our fit-for-purpose charging facilities," said Matt Horton, CEO of Voltera.
Tom earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California and Juris Doctor and Master of Studies in Environmental Law degrees from Vermont Law School, where he focused on energy and climate law and policy.
About Voltera
Voltera sites, builds, owns, and operates strategically located, fit-for-purpose charging facilities to enable EV deployment and operation at scale. With equity backing from EQT and plans to invest several billion, alongside a team with deep experience deploying charging assets, proven critical infrastructure expertise and key strategic partners, Voltera is uniquely positioned to help solve the EV infrastructure challenge and scale zero-emission transportation. For more information, visit volterapower.com.
