Electric vehicle (EV) platforms are becoming increasingly software-defined, data-driven, and globally regulated. As commercial fleets scale, manufacturers face a complex challenge: How to design vehicles that not only perform reliably across duty cycles and regions but also stay compliant with cybersecurity, sustainability, and emissions standards that are constantly evolving?
Mabel Feng, Director of Product Management at Proterra.
To explore this intersection of technology, regulation, and fleet intelligence, we spoke with Mabel Feng, Director of Product Management at Proterra, an electrification partner for heavy-duty transportation and equipment manufacturers. Proterra provides high-performance battery systems designed to operate in harsh and demanding environments.
Feng shared insight into how modern EV platforms are evolving, from foundational design strategies that support global compliance to the role of integrated software, AI, and predictive diagnostics in maximizing uptime and asset value.
Topics discussed include dual-market compliance, software-defined energy management, ISO and UNECE readiness, and the future of bidirectional charging and V2G.
Here’s what she had to say…
What are the most effective design strategies for ensuring EV platforms remain compliant with shifting global regulations, particularly in areas like cybersecurity, lifecycle emissions reporting, and end-of-life material recovery?
Mabel Feng (MF): To stay ahead of global compliance requirements, the foundation of any EV platform should be a modular architecture. Separating hardware and software makes it easier to adapt over time, without a full system redesign. Start by building a secure, transparent data infrastructure. Whether it’s emissions reporting or verifying material recovery at end-of-life, auditable data trails are essential.
Additionally, cybersecurity will become more important as the number of connected devices grows in EVs. Whilst currently a requirement for OEMs placed in the European Union, OEMs focused in other regions will likely adopt cybersecurity features as well. Compliance with standards like UNECE R155 hinges on capabilities like secure boot, OTA (over-the-air) updates, and system-level intrusion detection. For sustainability, embedding Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) into early design helps ensure parts can be reused, recycled, or responsibly disposed of.
The most effective approaches use foundational platforms that meet the most stringent global requirements. From there, regional-specific features can be added as needed, avoiding designing separate systems for each market. Clear, modular code bases, partitioned data processing modules, and the ability to manufacture and support variants with one common hardware and software platform can set up EV platforms to adapt better to evolving global standards.
How do integrated software systems support diagnostics, remote maintenance, and uptime optimization for commercial EV fleets?
MF: Integrated software functions as the fleet’s central nervous system. By aggregating data from every vehicle subsystem, operators gain real-time insight into vehicle health and performance. This data also powers predictive analytics.
Machine learning models analyze fleet-wide trends to anticipate failures before they happen. Technicians can diagnose remotely and even push firmware updates without taking the vehicle offline. As a result, service can be planned during scheduled downtime, reducing disruptions, improving asset utilization, and lowering maintenance costs.
Which safety standards and software-level protections are essential for meeting ISO 26262 and UNECE R155 and R156 in electric commercial vehicles?
MF: Ultimately, no single layer should be a point of failure. Compliance requires a multi-layered defense strategy.
For example:
- For ISO 26262 (functional safety): engineers should build in self-diagnosis, fault detection, and strong hardware-software integration testing.
- For R155 (cybersecurity): ensure a secure boot, encrypted communications, intrusion detection, and strict user authentication.
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For R156 (software updates): the OTA update system requires version control, rollback capabilities, and detailed audit logs.
From data transmission to storage, end-to-end security is key. On top of that, continuous threat monitoring must be built into the platform’s lifecycle.
Technician assembling a commercial EV battery system designed for modularity, serviceability, and compliance with evolving global standards such as UNECE R155 and ISO 26262.
What role does predictive diagnostics software play in minimizing downtime and extending the service life of high-use, commercial EVs?
MF: Predictive diagnostics transform fleet maintenance from reactive to strategic. By continually analyzing real-time sensor data, the system can spot early warning signs, such as slight changes in motor current or battery temperature, indicating wear long before failure occurs.
This allows for planned interventions during downtime, avoiding costly unscheduled repairs. These insights also inform route planning, charging behavior, and load management, extending component life, and improving long-term performance.
However, the advantage for commercial fleets goes beyond faster solutions. The goal is preemptive problem prevention: predict, prevent, and proact. All three support the bottom line and the total cost of ownership for the fleet.
How can software-defined energy management platforms adapt battery performance across varying duty cycles, routes, and climate conditions?
MF: Software-defined platforms make batteries smarter by dynamically adjusting how and when energy is used. This could mean rerouting vehicles on flatter terrain to save energy or adjusting charging profiles in cold weather to protect battery longevity. Active thermal management keeps it in its optimal operating range.
Charging algorithms also adapt based on real-time usage demands, balancing charging speed and battery health. The overarching goal is to achieve consistent performance across any scenario, with minimal wear and tear.
How are vehicle software systems evolving to support bidirectional charging, grid responsiveness, and future V2G applications across commercial fleets?
MF: Bidirectional charging turns vehicles into mobile energy assets. On the software side, this requires precise control of power flow, robust grid communication, and adherence to standards like ISO 15118 for secure “plug & charge” functionality.
Fleet software can schedule vehicle charging based on grid pricing or demand response signals, and export power when the grid needs it. This creates new revenue streams while supporting energy stability. Over time, expect tighter grid integration and more intelligent V2G orchestration across commercial fleets, enabling them to participate in distributed energy markets.
How can AI and data-driven control systems improve energy efficiency, battery life, and predictive maintenance across diverse fleet operations?
MF: AI enables the identification of optimal solutions amid extreme complexity. For EV fleets, this means adjusting energy use in real-time based on terrain, traffic, driver behavior, and battery health. For example, adaptive energy management might adjust torque output on hills or optimize HVAC use in hot weather to preserve range. Charging can be scheduled to take advantage of lower grid costs or higher renewable availability.
At the fleet level, AI looks across vehicles to identify patterns. If there’s a recurring degradation trend in one component type, usage or maintenance protocols can be proactively adjusted. This drives better energy efficiency, longer battery life, and smarter maintenance strategies.
What design considerations are critical when developing secure, cloud-based fleet management systems that handle OTA updates, energy monitoring, and real-time location tracking?
Security must be designed in, not as an add-on. Every layer of a cloud-based fleet system needs strong encryption, access control, and regular security audits.
For OTA updates, ensure code signing, version control, and rollback capabilities. Privacy should also be a priority, which can be achieved by anonymizing sensitive vehicle and driver data and segmenting access based on roles. Compliance with frameworks like ISO/SAE 21434 ensures your security strategy keeps pace with industry best practices. Scalability and real-time monitoring are essential as fleets grow and threats evolve.
The H2-23 is Proterra’s most energy-dense battery system, engineered for maximum range in Class 8 and other demanding applications.
What are the challenges and best practices for integrating dual regulatory compliance systems (such as for the EU and North American markets) into a single EV platform?
MF: Balancing compliance between regions like the EU and North America is no small feat given with differing standards, documentation, and test cycles.
Start with a global base platform that satisfies the strictest shared requirements. Use a modular architecture to localize features where needed without reinventing the whole system.
Early alignment between engineering, legal, and regulatory teams is crucial. Automated testing and validation frameworks can help manage the complexity. It’s also wise to establish a dedicated compliance function that tracks changes in both regions in real time.
Where do you see the EV commercial market evolving over the next five years, and what technical or policy-related hurdles will be most important to overcome?
MF: The commercial EV market is progressing beyond early adopters and crossing the chasm to mass adoption. Over the next five years, continued technology advancements will push performance, ease of use, and cost. At the same time, US policy decisions will play a pivotal role in shaping the market’s trajectory.
There will undoubtedly be a transition to smarter fleets, the question becomes who will be the first with a reliable solution. Smarter fleets are possible with more sophisticated AI-driven energy management and seamless cloud-grid integration.
However, we’re still facing hurdles, including charging infrastructure scalability, grid modernization, and continued battery improvements for heavy-duty applications. Achieving interoperability across diverse charging networks and establishing standardized communication protocols will be critical.
Ultimately, companies will continue to innovate regardless of the policy environment, but clear and consistent policy signals would rapidly accelerate scale and ensure competitiveness.
Filed Under: Batteries, FAQs, Q&As, Software, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)