TRANSPORTATION ENERGY 2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Clarity Through Connection: Navigating the Future of Transportation Together
In an era of rapid technological change and evolving consumer expectations, clarity is essential for making informed decisions that drive progress. By fostering meaningful connections—between industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and communities—we create a shared understanding that transforms complexity into opportunity.
April 20-22, 2026
Fort Worth Club
306 W 7th St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Agenda
Monday, April 20
(For those who registered for the Pre-Conference Field Trip. Starting Location: Fort Worth Club)
Lunch
Field Trip – Retail Locations in the DFW MetroPlex
Welcome Reception (Open to all Conference attendees)
Tuesday, April 21
9:00am
Opening Comments
John Eichberger, Transportation Energy Institute
9:15am
Gridlock: Is Our Energy Infrastructure on the Brink?
Debnil Chowdhury and Zoe Vastakis, S&P Global Commodities
The rise of artificial intelligence and the rapid deployment of data centers is increasing demand for electricity faster than at any time in recent history. Over 14 years, from 2010 to 2023, megawatt consumption in the U.S. increased 3.2%. Yet, over two years, from 2023 – 2025 (projected), consumption increased 4.3%. This pace is expected to accelerate over the next 10 years. At the same time, the number of electric vehicles in operation throughout the world continues to expand, vehicle miles traveled in the U.S. has increased 11.3% since 2010 and gasoline production in the U.S. has increased 4.6%. There is a lot of pressure on the market to deliver energy when and where it is needed at an affordable price and with minimal environmental impact. How can all of these objectives be balanced and ensure consumers can turn on the lights and heat in their homes and obtain energy for their mobility needs? What future are we facing?
10:00am
Power Struggle: Can Consumers Keep Up with Rising Energy Costs?
Dan Romito, Pickering Energy Consultants
In 2025, retail gasoline prices dropped down below $3 per gallon for the first time in a long while, but electricity rates were up 10.5% since 2023. The fleet was becoming more efficient and diverse with the expansion of hybrids and electric vehicles, but the competing demands for power to support data centers enabling artificial intelligence is putting pressure on the grid. Policy agendas focused on reducing carbon emissions are beginning to be looked at with a fresh perspective, but the pressure to reduce emissions is not abating. How does the market balance the competing interests of lower emissions and providing sufficient affordable supply to consumers?
10:45am
BREAK
11:00am
Global Outlook: The World’s Energy System is Vast, Complex, and Interdependent
John Gentry, ExxonMobil
As with all commodities, energy is produced in regions of the world with sufficient natural resources and then distributed to various markets to satisfy demand. ExxonMobil takes a deeper look at these dynamic global markets that affect every economy but are misunderstood by many. Integration and global flows of energy are essential for continued economic growth.
11:45am
Energy Markets – How It All Ties Together
Panelists: Debnil Chowdury, S&P Global Commodities, John Gentry, ExxonMobil Dan Romito, Pickering Energy Consultants, and Zoe Vastakis, S&P Global Commodities
Moderator: Doug Haugh, NewTide Development
After a morning discussing various aspects of the energy market we’re bringing everyone back to the stage for a broad discussion on what this all means. Where do they see the market and industry moving as a whole over the next decade or further? What shifts could change how we think about energy and consumption? Moderator Doug Haugh will guide the panel through a robust discussion with the audience to put everything into context.
12:45pm
LUNCH
1:30pm
2:15pm
Charging Ahead – Or Falling Behind? Are Charging Stations Missing the Mark?
Panelists: Florent Breton, Paren and Aaron Young, Electrify America
Moderator: Genevive Comtois, TEI
From January to October 2025, the U.S. expanded the number DCFC stations by 15.6%, offering drivers nearly 14,000 sites and 63,000 connectors from which they can charge their vehicles. But are these stations and chargers fulfilling the needs of the driver and the business that invested in their installation? TEI has studied what consumers want from their charging stations and chargers and has been monitoring utilization of more than 40,000 chargers to identify their economic value to their owner.
3:00pm
BREAK
3:15pm
Fueling Controversy: Are Biofuels Helping or Hurting?
Panelists: Tristan Brown, Molecule Group and Paul Machiele, Fuel Policy Advisors, LLC
Moderator: Deb Ryan, Swan Mountain Advisory
The U.S. states it is on pace to consume nearly 17 billion gallons of biofuels in 2025, representing about 9% of the motor fuel supply in the nation. Yet recent studies have been released that call into question whether these products, using virgin feedstocks, are better for the environment than the petroleum products they displace, whether the land used to produce their feedstocks could be better allocated to alternative uses and whether the policies that support their production and consumption are misguided? TEI has published research which contradicts these findings, but they raise the question – Are biofuels really a viable solution to transportation emissions reductions?
4:00pm
5:00pm
Closing Comments
John Eichberger, Transportation Energy Institute
Wednesday, April 22
9:00am
9:45am
10:30am
10:45am
Driven to Buy: Will Smart Cars Create Smarter Shoppers?
New vehicle voice-activated and AI-enabled dashboard technology is changing how drivers determine their destinations, the route selections and how they engage with retail businesses, affecting the long-term viability of existing energy retail business models. EV drivers today can choose their charging location before they leave their driveway – the in-car monitor and navigation system allow the driver to choose a charging site based on retail and food options. In 2025, an EV OEM rolled out the ability to order and pay for food and convenience items before the trip starts and have the items delivered to the vehicle when it plugs in to charge. TEI has formed a working group to better understand how to integrate retail operations with vehicles technology.
12:15pm
LUNCH
1:00pm
Future of Energy Retail
Jeff Burrell, NACS
2:00pm
2:45pm
Closing Comments and Adjourn
John Eichberger, Transportation Energy Institute
Event Registration
Register now for THE conference of the year for unbiased research and dialogue with key stakeholders in the transportation energy sector.
Media: | Contact: Marjorie Frankel mfrankel@transportationenergy.org | |
REGISTRATION FEE: | STANDARD | |
TEI Contributor | $899 | |
TEI Non-Contributor | $1,099 | |
Government/National Lab | $499 | |
Buy One, Get 20% off each additional attendee from your company | ||
| Sponsor with one complimentary registration | $2,500 | |
| Sponsor with two complimentary registrations | $5,000 | |
| April 20th Lunch/Field trip | $150 | |
Travel
The closest airport is DFW airport
We do not have a host hotel. Hotels within a short walking distance of the Fort Worth Club:
The Sinclair, Autograph Collection
The Hilton Downtown Fort Worth
