As the world’s largest EV charging network for major events, SparkCharge recently proved the scalability and reliability of its model by powering hundreds of electric vehicles—including VIP shuttles and staff cars—at the high-profile US Open tennis tournament. Crucially, all charging was done using the company’s mobile, off-grid units, demonstrating a powerful alternative to fixed, grid-tied infrastructure.
Following this high-stakes deployment, EV Charging Magazine spoke with Yves-Emmanuel Toussaint, VP of Operations at SparkCharge, to understand the critical logistical lessons learned and the strategic vision behind their unique business model.
Toussaint details the complexities of navigating large-scale New York logistics and contrasts the event with their previous deployment at the Masters Tournament. More importantly, he outlines how the company’s “Charging as a Service” (CaaS) model is positioned to become essential for fleets facing utility delays, high infrastructure costs, and evolving operational footprints. In this exclusive Q&A, Toussaint shares how mobile, off-grid solutions are fundamentally changing the economics and speed of EV adoption.
The Q&A Interview with Yves-Emmanuel Toussaint, VP of Operations at SparkCharge
1. What were the biggest logistical challenges in providing mobile EV charging for hundreds of vehicles at a large-scale event like the US Open?
Running mobile EV charging at an event the size of the US Open or the PGA Masters Tournament brings unique operational and logistical complexities. Just navigating the New York streets, security checkpoints and tight loading zones meant that our units needed to be compact and maneuverable. Forecasting the energy demand for the VIP shuttles, staff and vendor cars was also a challenge, as the usage patterns varied and we needed to match charger availability with unit readiness to keep things moving.
2. What are the key benefits of using a mobile, off-grid charging solution at a major event, as opposed to relying on a permanent charging infrastructure?
The most immediate benefit of using mobile off-grid charging over permanent charging infrastructure is the speed of deployment. Establishing fixed charging stations is a lengthy and time-consuming process that involves obtaining permits, coordinating with utilities and construction. Flexibility is another key advantage for SparkCharge, as our units can be moved as demand shifts. For event organizers specifically, mobile charging helps them avoid spendy investments in permanent infrastructure that go unused outside of infrequent major events.
3. SparkCharge provides “Charging as a Service.” How does this model work, and what specific advantages does it offer for both event planners and fleet managers?
Charging-as-a-Service gives organizations immediate access to charging without the burden of building, owning and maintaining permanent charging infrastructure. Our mobile battery trailers hold 300-500 kWh and feature four charging ports, while our Off-Grid Power Hubs offer over 180 kW of DC fast charging and unlimited capacity. Both options are ideal for events, fleets, ports/railheads or any business seeking instant off-grid power on-site. Clients can also choose from white-glove service, where our team handles every detail, self-service, where they manage operations themselves or a blended approach. Just like our event charging service – we’re able to deploy our Charging-as-a-Service rapidly, in as little as three days or less.
4. Beyond the US Open, SparkCharge also provided charging at the Masters tournament. How did the charging needs differ between these two events, and how did your service adapt?
The biggest differences we noticed were in the locations. The Masters being in Georgia means we had more open space and flexibility for staging equipment, whereas the US Open in New York required more careful site planning to work within the dense streets and constant traffic. The vehicle types were similar (mainly VIP shuttles, staff cars and player vehicles) as were the charging needs; both events required flexibility as vehicles would return with varying States of Charge (SoC).
5. What role do you see the “Charging as a Service” model playing in the future of the EV market, especially for companies looking to electrify their fleets?
CaaS will be essential for helping fleets that want to electrify quickly and without location constraints, but face delays from utilities, permitting or infrastructure costs. It provides companies that employ EV fleets with a charging footprint that moves and scales with them, whether for temporary depots, seasonal contracts or large events. By handling the equipment and maintenance, SparkCharge reduces the total cost of ownership and provides predictable operating costs for fleet operators.
6. SparkCharge’s units are mobile and don’t require a grid connection. How do they work, and what is their charging capacity?
Each trailer stores 300-500 kWh of energy and delivers 125+ kW of DC fast charging. Multiple vehicles can be charged simultaneously with the four ports, which support both CCS and NACS connectors. These charging units operate fully off-grid, and when their state of charge is low, we can swap or recharge them to keep service and vehicles rolling.
7. What’s next for SparkCharge? Are there new services or markets you’re focused on expanding into?
SparkCharge is preparing for international expansion across the pond to Europe and the Middle East, beyond serving the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Both regions are seeing a rising demand for fleet charging and event support, but struggle with grid constraints and permitting delays. Our model is well-suited to meet those needs as we’re focused on making commercial EV adoption faster and easier by bringing charging directly wherever and whenever it’s needed.
The Strategic Outlook for Mobile Charging
SparkCharge’s success at major sporting events like the US Open is a real-world validation of the Charging as a Service model. By offering rapid, flexible, off-grid DC fast charging, the company provides a critical solution that bypasses the long deployment times and high capital expenditure associated with fixed infrastructure. For fleets and high-profile venues, CaaS is proving to be a scalable, reliable pathway to electrification that reduces complexity and ensures business continuity.
