Ausgrid has taken out the 2025 Fleet Environment Award at the annual AfMA Conference, in recognition of its comprehensive and ambitious electric vehicle (EV) rollout that is transforming the way utility fleets operate in Australia.
Accepted by Fleet Engineering Strategy Manager Tim Kynoch, the award celebrates Ausgrid’s leadership in decarbonising its fleet operations with a clear and measurable transition plan: 900 vehicles electrified by 2029, spanning both light and heavy-duty segments.
“We’re a grid operator, so we see electrification from every angle,” Kynoch said. “We knew early on that we had to lead by example and demonstrate that EVs can meet real-world operational needs.”
To date, Ausgrid has already deployed 111 electric vehicles and installed more than 120 chargers across its network. Another 40 vehicles are in the pipeline. The vehicles have collectively travelled over 1.5 million kilometres, saving an estimated 80,000 litres of fuel and reducing emissions by 33% across the passenger fleet.
Kynoch explained that careful vehicle selection and a staged rollout were essential to addressing early concerns such as range anxiety. “Once we installed DC fast chargers and drivers realised they could charge from zero to full in under an hour, those concerns disappeared almost overnight.”
Ausgrid also introduced free workplace charging for staff, encouraging employees to switch to EVs for their own vehicles. “That single initiative sparked a wave of interest—our team now fields daily requests for more on-site charging,” said Kynoch.
Beyond numbers, the project has reshaped Ausgrid’s internal culture. “There’s a learning curve—talking kilowatt-hours instead of litres, understanding battery chemistries, designing maintenance protocols—but once our engineers and technicians got hands-on, the momentum built quickly.”
In his acceptance speech, Kynoch acknowledged the broader team effort: from data analysts running range simulations, to fleet technicians adapting maintenance schedules, to engineers developing EV-ready procedures for heavy commercial applications. “This award is for the entire team. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved and more excited about what’s ahead.”
The Fleet Environment Award is sponsored by Hyundai Australia and Karmo, both active contributors to Australia’s electrification ecosystem. Hyundai’s Scott Nargar said Ausgrid’s achievement reinforces the importance of fleets in the transition to zero emissions. “We need fleet leadership to drive this change—Ausgrid is doing just that.”
For EV-focused fleet managers, Ausgrid’s success offers a real-world roadmap: commit early, educate your team, plan your rollout carefully, and tackle infrastructure head-on.
Kynoch left attendees with a direct message: “I’ve never been a climate crusader, but the evidence is here—more storms, bigger bushfires, rising costs. Fleet managers have the tools to drive change. Get in the EV and get moving.”
Ausgrid’s fleet journey stands as a compelling case study for any business looking to decarbonise its operations while maintaining safety, reliability and cost efficiency. The utility’s actions show that EV transition isn’t just possible—it’s already happening.
