Western Sydney delivery professional Sami Nahlous is proving that small businesses can scale rapidly with the right mix of technology, support, and determination.
In late August 2023, Sami purchased his first electric van under ANC’s IKEA contract. By October it was on the road, and within two years his operation had expanded into a fleet of seven electric vans and seven independent drivers, delivering across Sydney’s Southwest, West and Inner West.
“Project Spark helped me grow faster and breathe easier,” Sami says. “No engine noise, no fumes – I literally sleep better now. You don’t realise how taxing diesel is on your health until you stop.”
Cutting Costs, Growing Cash Flow
The move to EVs has reshaped Sami’s balance sheet. His weekly fuel bill dropped from $350–$400 to around $50, while maintenance expenses plunged with no more oil changes or engine repairs. Those savings were reinvested into staff and more vehicles. With demand rising, Sami says further expansion is already planned: “Customers love the EVs, and the economics stack up.”
Health and Environmental Gains
The shift away from diesel has eliminated emissions from Sami’s deliveries, while reducing noise pollution for both drivers and the community. Cleaner air and quieter cabins have boosted driver wellbeing and job satisfaction – key factors in staff retention for small operators.
Project Spark Advantage
Sami credits ANC’s Project Spark – the company’s sustainable delivery program – for his success. It provided hands-on EV trials, onboarding support, charging advice, and guidance through government grants and incentives. “Without ANC’s guidance and set-up support, I wouldn’t have grown this fast. It wasn’t just about getting a vehicle – it was about building a real business,” Sami explains.
ANC’s Bigger Picture
Sami’s success sits within ANC’s broader transformation. Through Project Spark and a $12.8 million ARENA Driving the Nation grant, ANC has built one of Australia’s largest last-mile EV fleets with 111 vehicles delivering across the country. To July 2025, those EVs have:
- Delivered 340,000 consignments
- Travelled 1.39 million km with zero tailpipe emissions
- Avoided 622,453 kg of CO₂ emissions – the equivalent of taking 210 cars off the road for a year
As Sami’s story shows, ANC isn’t just building a greener fleet – it’s enabling independent contractors to grow thriving businesses powered by clean transport.
- City of Parramatta shows how fleets can decarbonise without blowing the budget
The City of Parramatta has demonstrated that reducing fleet emissions does not have to come at the expense of financial discipline or operational reliability. Through a structured Fleet Emissions Reduction Program, the council has taken a whole-of-system approach to fleet electrification—combining governance reform, data-driven decision-making and renewable energy infrastructure to create a practical pathway to - Fleet electrification is now a cross-department projectFor many organisations, the early stages of fleet electrification were driven by a single person. In some cases it was a proactive Fleet Manager exploring new technology. In others it was a Sustainability Manager looking for ways to reduce emissions. But as businesses move from small EV trials to broader deployment, the transition is no
- Suitability and viability: when electric trucks make operational and financial senseOne of the most practical sections of the latest MOV3MENT Electric Truck Report focuses on two fundamental questions for fleet operators: Is an electric truck suitable for the job, and is it financially viable? The report frames electrification as a case-by-case decision driven by operational realities rather than technology alone, noting that many fleets already have diesel
- EV fleet adoption moves from planning to implementationFor several years, conversations about electric vehicles in fleet operations centred on preparation. Organisations knew EVs were coming, but most activity focused on learning, trialling and planning rather than making large-scale changes. That mindset is now shifting. According to Origin Zero’s Adam Aslam, fleet operators are increasingly moving beyond planning discussions and into practical decisions
- NYC Fleet Pushes Low-Emission Adoption Past 10 Million Electric MilesNew York City continues to set the pace on low-emission fleet adoption, with new reporting showing record fuel economy results and significant growth in electric vehicle use across its non-emergency fleet. According to the DCAS Report on the Use-Based Fuel Economy of Light and Medium Duty Non-Emergency Vehicles in the City Fleet (Fiscal Year 2025) local-law-77-use-based-fuel-eco…, the
