Cal EPIC Announces Veteran Startup Executive as New Board Chair
Cal EPIC Board selects Dan Grossman as new Chair
Sacramento, CA — The California Energy, Power, and Innovation Collaborative (Cal EPIC) announced its board has selected Dan Grossman as the organization’s new board chair. Chair Grossman has been in the automotive innovation for over 20 years, with a focus on autonomy, shared-use systems, and electric mobility. He will replace Arlen Orchard, former SMUD General Manager and CEO and the initial board chair of the California Mobility Center (now Cal EPIC).
“Dan has helped companies grow from the smallest of startups and innovative ideas into industry leaders, which is the trajectory that Cal EPIC wants to follow,” said Orville Thomas, CEO of Cal EPIC. “We want to thank Arlen for all he did to get us to this point. As we move into our next era, we want to be a destination for companies looking to accelerate their research, development, and clean tech manufacturing in California.”
“Having worked with more than 75 start-ups in the electric, autonomous and shared mobility sectors, I appreciate the opportunity and partnership Cal EPIC provides,” said Dan Grossman, new board chair of Cal EPIC. “The resources, physical location and community that’s been established is world class and can help accelerate growth for organizations of all sizes.”
Prior to his role at Cal EPIC, Chair Grossman played a pivotal role in scaling Zipcar from startup to IPO and to the eventual acquisition by Avis Budget Group. Under his leadership, Zipcar expanded into more than 300 cities and 500 university campuses across North America. Dan also helped General Motors launch its mobility division, Maven. He oversaw the development of new mobility technologies and formed strategic partnerships with groups such as Cruise and Lyft. Mr. Grossman later served as Global Vice President of Microtransit at Ford Motor Company, where he also held the role of CEO for Chariot Transit and led Ford’s non-emergency medical transportation initiative, GoRide.
Cal EPIC is preparing to open its new 33,000 square foot Innovation Hub to the public on August 26, 2026. The facility will be an accelerator for clean energy and transportation technology that helps California meet its ambitious zero-carbon climate goals. Chair Grossman will serve a two-year term.
About Cal EPIC
Cal EPIC — the California Energy, Power & Innovation Collaborative — is a nonprofit accelerating the research, development, and commercial manufacturing of clean energy and transportation technologies that advance California’s zero-carbon future. Through our 33,000-square-foot Innovation Hub, we equip founders, manufacturers, and the workforce of tomorrow with the physical infrastructure, testing capabilities, and collaborative community they need to move from idea to market — faster, and at scale.
###
California Energy Commission Awards $4 Million to Launch First-of-Its-Kind EV Charger Testing and Interoperability Lab in Sacramento
Cal EPIC, CharIN, KERI, and Momentum to establish the Capital Charge Yard, advancing reliable, interoperable EV charging infrastructure statewide
Sacramento, CA — The California Energy Commission (CEC) has awarded $4 million to Cal EPIC (California Energy, Power, and Innovation Collaborative), in partnership with CharIN (Charging Interface Initiative), KERI (Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute), and Momentum, to create and operate California’s first EV Charger Testing and Interoperability Lab, known as the Capital Charge Yard.
The Capital Charge Yard will serve as a publicly accessible testing and demonstration facility where electric vehicle and EV charger manufacturers can validate interoperability, develop future charging standards, and explore vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies. In addition to technical testing, the facility will host annual policy conferences and public demonstration events to inform regulators, industry leaders, and stakeholders.
“Investing in Cal EPIC and our partners lets us show regulators, elected officials, and others what’s now and what’s next in clean transportation technology,” said Orville Thomas, CEO of Cal EPIC. “Sacramento will help drive EV charger policy and research and development, while ensuring that chargers work reliably when drivers plug in.”
As part of the initiative, CharIN, a global nonprofit association advancing standards-based and interoperable EV charging, will organize a series of interoperability testing events involving vehicles, chargers, and test systems. CharIN will also integrate its conformance testing framework, providing standardized, repeatable, on-demand test cases and validation protocols.
KERI will contribute proprietary technology and expertise from South Korea to test EV charger operation and conformity, drawing on its experience operating the Global Interoperability Testing Center (GiOTEC). Momentum will support the long-term, sustainable operation of the Capital Charge Yard beyond the CEC’s catalytic funding period.
“Congratulations to Cal EPIC on the launch of this dedicated EV charging test facility—an important step toward building a more reliable, interoperable, and future-ready charging ecosystem,” said Erika Myers, Executive Director of CharIN North America.
“It is a great honor for KERI to serve as the lead planner for interoperability testing within the Capital Charge Yard,” said NamGyun Kim, President of KERI. “By leveraging our extensive experience in operating the Global Interoperability Testing Center (GiOTEC)—which aligns perfectly with the vision of Charge Yard—we aim to ensure seamless integration across the EV charging ecosystem.”
The Energy Commission grant runs through 2030, with the Capital Charge Yard tentatively scheduled to open later this year. Industry support for the project includes Rivian, ChargePoint, Kempower, Nextracker, and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD).
About Cal EPIC
Cal EPIC (California Energy, Power, and Innovation Collaborative) is a Sacramento-based organization advancing clean energy, transportation, and manufacturing innovation through applied research, testing, and collaboration between industry, government, and academia.
About the California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission is the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency. It has seven core responsibilities: advancing state energy policy, encouraging energy efficiency, certifying power plants, investing in energy innovation, developing renewable energy, transforming transportation, and preparing for energy emergencies.