The 2025 EV Infrastructure Summit brought together a powerhouse panel to discuss the practical challenges of scaling electric vehicle (EV) projects from isolated trials to full-scale operations. Moderated by Marc Sibbald (IPWEA), the panel featured Natasha Menon (AGL), Leonard Pham (Custom Fleet), Alex Kelly (IKEA Australia & New Zealand), and Sean Stove (ABB). Each shared honest insights into where the industry really stands today—and what’s required to move beyond pilot programs.
Business as Usual? Not Quite
The panel opened with a pulse check. IKEA’s Alex Kelly reported that 73% of orders are already delivered by zero-emissions vehicles, with a goal of reaching 90% in metro areas by year-end. IKEA’s model includes light- to medium-duty trucks up to 16 tonnes, proving that electric trucks are already delivering in urban areas.
Leonard Pham confirmed that Custom Fleet’s internal fleet is fully electric, but cautioned that most customers are still in “wait and see” mode. Cost pressures and residual value uncertainty are real concerns, and many businesses have stalled in pilot mode. Natasha Menon echoed this from AGL’s perspective: “It’s still messy. We’re in a loop of trials without scaling.” ABB’s Sean Stove, however, reminded the audience that infrastructure has existed for over a decade—“to some extent, it is already business as usual.”
Core Barriers to Scale
Leonard Pham provided a fast-paced, comprehensive rundown of the remaining barriers:
- Cost: While EV capital costs are declining, resale value risk and installation costs (especially for home chargers) still deter uptake.
- Brand shift: Many fleets are still hesitant to adopt newer EV brands over legacy names.
- Operational change: The shift to home charging adds cognitive load for drivers, requiring education and change management.
- Infrastructure complications: Every site is different, making it hard to standardise charging solutions or budget accurately.
- Data gaps: Long-term battery health and real-world maintenance cost data are only just starting to emerge.
Cultural Change and Engagement Are Critical
Kelly highlighted that IKEA’s delivery model relies on subcontractors, meaning influencing vehicle choice involves indirect levers. Their solution? Setting ambitious targets, then supporting partners through investment—like $4.5 million for depot charging infrastructure. However, even simple modifications (e.g., re-zoning car bays for trucks) required complex development approval, delaying deployment by nearly a year.
Panelists agreed that change management is just as important as technology. “Once people get in the car, they realise how easy it is,” said Menon. But that first step—putting “bums in seats”—is still a major hurdle.
Infrastructure and Integration: Simpler is Smarter
ABB’s Sean Stove warned against cobbling together custom charging systems: “Every software patch must be maintained long-term for cyber safety.” He and Kelly both stressed the importance of choosing proven, integrated solutions—both to avoid interoperability traps and reduce administrative complexity.
“Charging infrastructure is now on our asset register like any other plant item,” said Kelly. This maturity in thinking is a sign that EV infrastructure is starting to be treated as business infrastructure—not experimental tech.
Total Cost of Ownership Still Evolving
While lower fuel and maintenance costs are real, Pham pointed out that residual values and capital costs haven’t fully stabilised. “We’re getting there,” he said, noting that internal combustion vehicle prices are also rising, narrowing the gap. However, fleets still need to account for electricity prices and the costs of home or depot charging in their TCO calculations.
And sometimes, the biggest savings might be found in right-sizing the fleet. “There are still too many four-wheel drives doing city duty,” Pham noted. “We need to talk about fit-for-purpose, not just EVs.”
Depot, Home and Public Charging—One Size Doesn’t Fit All
There’s a clear trend towards workplace and home charging as the most cost-effective and controllable options. But public charging is still part of the mix—particularly for contractors. That said, the user experience needs work.
“Drivers are juggling multiple apps, RFID cards, and maps. That’s the cognitive load we’re talking about,” said Pham. “We need to fix this, or it’s going to stall adoption.”
For larger commercial vehicles, Kelly raised an overlooked issue: “Vans and light trucks don’t fit in car-sized charging bays.” Infrastructure grants and public networks need to consider commercial dimensions if they’re to support freight and retail delivery.
Key Takeaways for Fleet Managers
Each panellist offered practical advice for those starting—or stuck—in their transition:
- Alex Kelly:
- Get executive buy-in early.
- Engage the whole organisation, including legal, finance, asset management and operations.
- Start now—don’t wait for perfect tech.
- Natasha Menon:
- “Bring your energy provider in early. Solar and BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) can help control lifetime costs.”
- Sean Stove:
- “Plan carefully. Simplify. Look for proven solutions, not custom integrations.”
- Leonard Pham:
- “Be empathetic with drivers. Their concerns are valid. Listening and education are key to mass adoption.”
Conclusion
The future of fleet electrification is not just about vehicle specs or charging hardware—it’s about embedding EVs into business operations and culture. As the panel made clear, the tools and vehicles exist today. What’s needed now is leadership, empathy, and the courage to treat e-mobility not as a trial, but as the new normal.
