ZEF Energy
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
ZEF Energy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ZEF Energy
- Legal name
- ZEF Energy Inc.
- Website
- https://zefenergy.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ZEF Energy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment and Software
- SIC
- Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- EV Charging Hardware Manufacturing (AC/DC Chargers/Dispensers) (IMACACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Managed EV Charging Software (Residential, Fleet, Workplace) (EUAFAMAA), EV Charging Network Management & Software Services (CPMS, Monitoring, Billing) (TLAKAMAG), Utility & Grid Services Integration for EV Flexibility (DR/DERMS/SCADA Interfaces) (EUAFAMAF), EV Charging Settlement, Billing & Roaming (Payments, Tariffs, Clearing) (EUAFAMAI)
Keywords
Where ZEF Energy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
ZEF Energy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- EV Charging Hardware Sales: Sale of Level 2 smart EV chargers (Standard Series, Pro Series) and DC Fast Chargers (Power Series). Hardware includes Buy America compliant, Energy Star certified products with integrated ZEFNET software.
- ZEFNET Software/SaaS Subscription: Annual subscription for ZEFNET software license starting at year 6 ($13/month/plug). Includes software updates, network management, and billing profile capabilities.
- Software, Support & Connectivity Services: Utilities purchase software, support, and connectivity services for residential programs including account management, program marketing materials, and access to new options.
- Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS): Lease-to-own models and turnkey EV charging solutions offered as a service for customers who prefer not to purchase equipment outright.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | 5-Year Advantage Package |
| Hybrid | Multi-year contract | Residential Program Model |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Payment Terms |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
ZEF Energy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ZEF Energy designs, manufactures, and operates EV charging hardware (Level 2 Standard and Pro Series, and DC Fast Chargers) integrated with its proprietary ZEFNET smart charging software platform. The company delivers turnkey EV charging solutions to utilities, municipalities, fleets, workplaces, and residential programs, bundled with a 5-Year Advantage warranty and service package.
Product overview
ZEF Energy offers a comprehensive EV charging portfolio comprising hardware products and software services. The product line includes Level 2 smart EV chargers (Standard Series and Pro Series) and DC Fast Chargers (Power Series), all integrated with the proprietary ZEFNET software platform. The 5-Year Advantage package bundles warranty, cellular connectivity, service, software licensing, and US-based support into all commercial products. The company specializes in serving utilities, commercial properties, fleets, and residential programs with both hardware and cloud-based management software.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ZEFNET: Smart charging software and network platform that manages EV chargers, load balancing, and provides driver-facing app functionality.
- 5-Year Advantage
Products and services
- Standard Series Level 2 Chargers Buy America compliant, Energy Star certified Level 2 smart EV chargers with the 5-Year Advantage included in MSRP. Features Tier 1 cellular communications through AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon plus Wi-Fi and Ethernet. Utility-grade design tested in extreme environments with wall-mount and stainless steel pedestal options, intended for utilities, workplaces, multifamily, and public deployments.
- Pro Series Level 2 Chargers Commercial Level 2 smart EV chargers with the 5-Year Advantage included. Supports multiple payment options including app, credit card, Google/Apple Pay, and RFID. Available in galvanized and stainless steel options. Designed for multi-unit housing, fleets, workplace, and municipal applications.
- Power Series DC Fast Chargers DC Fast Chargers integrated with the ZEFNET software and Driver App. Features power management to share power across circuits, reducing power upgrade costs. Includes 5-Year ZEFNET Software License with an annual subscription starting at year 6 ($13/month/plug).
- ZEFNET Software Platform Cloud-based smart charging software and network platform providing load management, load balancing, and power and circuit sharing capabilities. Supports sophisticated rate structures with embedded revenue-grade metering and billing data outputs and integrations. Includes a driver-facing mobile app.
- Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) Lease-to-own and turnkey EV charging solutions offered as a managed service for customers who prefer not to purchase equipment outright. Includes hardware, software, and ongoing support.
Quantifiable outcome
- 55%-80% program adoption rates for residential EV charging programs at cooperatives
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ZEF Energy
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ZEF Energy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature7 records
ZEF Energy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NASPO ValuePointcoreZEF Energy awarded NASPO ValuePoint Cooperative Contract for EV charging equipment, products, and services, enabling procurement through state contracts.
- Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC)minorCaribbean Utilities Company partners with ZEF Energy for EV charging hardware and software, expanding ZEF's reach beyond mainland US.
- KempowercoreZEF Energy celebrates successful year-long partnership with Kempower, showcasing rapid expansion and exceptional performance with DC fast chargers.
- KempowercoreZEF Energy became Kempower's first North American CPO (Charge Point Operator) Partner in 2022. The partnership provides state-of-the-art, scalable DC Fast Charger options in the United States, with ZEF Energy celebrating a successful year-long partnership showcasing rapid expansion and exceptional performance.
- DistributorsminorPartner program for distributors with simple onboarding, project leads for EV charging needs, and generous margins on ZEF EV Chargers.
- ResellersminorPartner program for resellers with simple onboarding, project leads for EV charging needs, and generous margins on ZEF EV Chargers.
- Service-Level PartnersminorPartner program for service-level partners with simple onboarding, project leads, and generous margins on ZEF EV Chargers.
- Eversource EnergyminorListed on Eversource Energy Approved Vendor List for EV charging equipment and services.
- National GridminorListed on National Grid Approved Vendor List for EV charging equipment and services.
- Pacific PowerminorListed on Pacific Power Approved Vendor List for EV charging equipment and services.
- PSEG Long IslandminorListed on PSEG Long Island Approved Vendor List for EV charging equipment and services.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ZEF Energy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ChargePoint: Largest independent EV charging network operator in North America, offering Level 2 AC and DC fast charging hardware plus a cloud network management platform. Directly comparable product line and target customer segments (workplace, fleet, commercial, multifamily) to ZEF Energy.
- Blink Charging: Public EV charging hardware and network services company offering Level 2 and DC fast chargers with a proprietary charging network management platform. Competes head-to-head with ZEF in commercial, multifamily, and municipal deployments.
- FLO: Canadian-headquartered EV charging network and hardware manufacturer serving utilities, municipalities, and workplaces across North America. ZEF's utility-channel focus and Level 2 + DCFC product mix closely mirror FLO's go-to-market model.
- SemaConnect (Blink subsidiary): EV charging hardware and software provider specializing in Level 2 commercial chargers for workplaces, multifamily, and fleet — overlapping directly with ZEF's Pro and Standard Series offerings.
- EVgo: Public DC fast charging network operator with a strong public-fast-charging footprint and utility partnerships. Overlaps with ZEF's Power Series DCFC line and utility-program business model.
- Tritium: DC fast charger manufacturer with deep North American utility and CPO partnerships. Directly comparable to the Kempower-powered DCFC side of ZEF's offering; ZEF has previously partnered with Tritium on promotional deployments.
Broad incumbents
- Kempower: Finnish DC fast charger OEM and ZEF's hardware partner. Comparable as a DCFC equipment manufacturer serving CPOs globally, though substantially larger and broader in scope than ZEF's full-stack offering.
- Schneider Electric (EVlink): Global energy management and industrial automation incumbent with an EV charging portfolio (EVlink) sold through utility and commercial channels. Overlaps with ZEF's utility and commercial-customer focus but as one of many product lines.
- Siemens (VersiCharge / eMobility): Industrial OEM and energy major with EV charging hardware and grid integration software. Competes in the same utility and commercial accounts as ZEF, leveraging broader electrification and grid services portfolio.
Emerging players
- Fermata Energy: Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging technology provider focused on bidirectional charging hardware and software for fleets and utilities. Adjacent to ZEF's managed charging roadmap as V2G/demand response capabilities expand.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ZEF Energy social profiles
Digital presenceZEF Energy compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
ZEF Energy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ZEF Energy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
ZEF Energy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ZEF Energy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ZEF Energy
What does ZEF Energy do?
ZEF Energy designs, manufactures, and operates EV charging hardware (Level 2 Standard and Pro Series, and DC Fast Chargers) integrated with its proprietary ZEFNET smart charging software platform. The company delivers turnkey EV charging solutions to utilities, municipalities, fleets, workplaces, and residential programs, bundled with a 5-Year Advantage warranty and service package.
Is ZEF Energy a public or private company?
ZEF Energy is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was ZEF Energy founded?
ZEF Energy was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ZEF Energy based?
ZEF Energy is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does ZEF Energy make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. EV Charging Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are ZEFNET Software/SaaS Subscription, software, Support & Connectivity Services and charging-as-a-Service (CaaS).
Who are ZEF Energy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ChargePoint, Blink Charging, FLO, SemaConnect (Blink subsidiary), EVgo and Tritium. Broad incumbents are Kempower, Schneider Electric (EVlink) and Siemens (VersiCharge / eMobility). Fermata Energy is listed as an emerging player.
Does ZEF Energy have an API?
No public API is recorded for ZEF Energy.
What industry is ZEF Energy in?
ZEF Energy's product category is Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment and Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACACAE, EV Charging Hardware Manufacturing (AC/DC Chargers/Dispensers), with a secondary code of EUAFAMAA, Managed EV Charging Software (Residential, Fleet, Workplace). Its SIC code is 3600.