Spring Free EV Adds Automotive, Clean Energy and Financial Services Experts from GM, Rivian and BMW to its Advisory Board
Industry veterans bring their expertise to the company leading the adoption of electric vehicles as it works to democratize access to affordable fleet financing
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#EV—Spring Free EV, the financial technology company accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) through innovative fintech products, today announces the addition of five executives to its Board of Advisors: Steve Girsky, Matt Horton, Richard Kauffman, Eric White and Ian Smith.
“Having Steve, Matt, Ian, Richard and Eric join our board is an incredible honor,” said Sunil Paul, CEO of Spring Free EV. “Each of them has played a significant role in shaping the automotive and clean energy industries and now will help us achieve our mission to reduce CO2 emissions and make electric vehicles accessible for the 99%, not just the top 1% of earners”
Steve Girsky currently serves as Chairman Of The Board at Nikola Motor Company and is a Member of the Board Of Directors at Clarios, an EV battery company. His past experience includes serving as Vice Chairman and as a member of the Board of Directors at General Motors, where he guided Corporate Strategy and Business Development. With experience working in both electric vehicles and the broader automotive industry, Steve brings invaluable expertise to Spring Free EV as it increases EV adoption with our unique pay-per-mile business model.
“A lot of drivers have signed on to the idea of electric vehicles, especially in light of worsening climate crises and rising gas prices around the world,” said Steve Girsky. “No company, however, has made these drivers’ attainment of an electric vehicle more accessible than Spring Free EV. I’m looking forward to being a part of a movement to make EVs and EV fleets affordable.”
Matt Horton is the former Executive Vice President of Energy and Charging Solutions at Rivian, where he grew fleet infrastructure and charging network businesses in addition to energy storage activities. Previously, he served as Managing Partner of Pescadero Pacific Ventures, Chief Commercial Officer at Proterra Inc, and CEO of Propel Fuels. Matt brings over 20 years of experience in commercial and investing expertise in new energy technologies and a wealth of knowledge across the clean energy space.
“We’re at a turning point with clean energy. Now, more than ever, automotive companies have access to high-quality clean energy alternatives and can produce cars that perform just as good if not better than gas-powered vehicles,” said Matt Horton. “What Spring Free EV is doing is unique. They’re finally leveling the playing field for drivers so that EVs are both an environmentally smart and affordable option. I am thrilled to be a part of their growth.”
Richard Kauffman currently serves as the Chair of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the Chair of Generate Capital, a leading financier and owner of clean economy infrastructure. He was formerly the first Chairman of Energy and Finance for New York in the Office of Governor Cuomo, where he led New York State’s comprehensive energy policy effort, known as Reforming the Energy Vision. He was also Chairman of the Global Financing Group at Goldman Sachs prior to working in the public sector.
“As someone with both private and public sector experience in the green energy space, I believe Spring Free EV’s plan to electrify America is precisely the solution we need,” says Kauffman. “Mass EV adoption across the board is necessary to reduce emissions, and I am excited to be part of a team that has a visionary, egalitarian plan to do so.”
Eric White is the founder and CEO of Dividend Finance, where he pioneered the Solar-as-a-Service offering and created a platform that simplified the process of purchasing solar panels. The residential solar loan now accounts for >60% of all residential photovoltaic solar system purchases and a $10bn+ annual asset class. He is also the President of Dividend Finance at Fifth Third Bank and was formerly an Associate of Global Energy and Power Investment Banking at Merril Lynch.
“Spring Free EV’s financing model will make a tangible impact on our climate and our planet,” says White. “We have a similar financing model at Dividend Finances, fostering solar adoption in the US, and I can tell you the model works. Applying this model to EVs will put Spring Free EV on track to help achieve mass EV adoption.”
Ian Smith is the former Board Advisor & CEO for BMW Financial Services. With over 25 years of experience leading businesses in the automotive industry, Ian is passionate about making a difference in our environment. His expertise in Sales & Marketing, Strategic Planning, and Business Development make him a critical voice as Spring Free EV strives to increase EV adoption among fleets.
“While our ‘FreeEV’ offering has gotten delivery drivers committed to going electric, our mission to get entire companies to switch their fleets to electric is a different story,” said Ian Smith. “As we continue to encourage businesses to make more environmentally conscious decisions, it’s important that we’re able to make EVs appealing to their business model. Spring Free EV is achieving just that, and I’m excited to join their journey.”
The new additions to their Board of Advisors arrive on the heels of the company’s launch of its ‘Free EV’ and ‘EVInstaFleet’ financing solutions. At launch, Free EV will provide 2,000 delivery and rideshare drivers access to affordable electric vehicles by bringing the upfront costs down through an industry-first pay-per-mile model with no monthly loan or lease payments. EVInstaFleet serves a growing market of entrepreneurs running high-mileage vehicle fleet businesses by streamlining the process of electrifying fleets. Unlike current financing options that can take upwards of six months and require personal guarantees, EVInstaFleet requires no personal credit or guarantees and uses a pay-per-mile subscription model, charging customers a base monthly fee plus a fee per mile driven.
About Spring Free EV
Spring Free EV is a financial technology company built to accelerate the adoption of EVs through innovative fintech products. It has the bold mission to reduce CO2 emissions by one gigaton by 2030 through a new vehicle financing approach that makes EVs more accessible to everyone. Spring Free EV was co-founded by Sunil Paul, Martin Lagod, Tenni Theurer, Visrin Vichit-Vandakan, and Andrew Deitz in 2021 and is backed by leading investors Reid Hoffman, Ev Williams, Mark Pincus, and others. Learn more at www.springfreeev.com.
Contacts
Tenni Theurer
press@springfreeev.com
(415) 323-6494
