As organisations across Australia accelerate their transition to electric vehicles (EVs), the role of EV charging infrastructure becomes increasingly critical. For CEOs, CFOs, fleet managers, and procurement professionals, choosing the right EV charging implementation partner can make or break a successful fleet transition. Fleet EV News spoke to Tim Washington, CEO of JET Charge, to understand the key considerations and strategies for identifying the ideal partner for your business.
The Evolution of EV Charging: From Supplier to Implementation Partner
EV adoption requires more than replacing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles with EVs; it demands a robust, scalable, and operationally efficient charging network. As Tim Washington explains, “When you are starting out with one or two vehicles, you can actually just buy a box. But as soon as you start transitioning your fleet at scale, your refuelling infrastructure becomes critical. It’s your responsibility to get it right so your vehicles can stay on the road.”
The distinction between suppliers and implementation partners is crucial. “An implementation partner is the team that becomes an extension of your organisation to implement the transition for EV charging”, Washington says.
This mindset shift reflects the industry’s maturation. Instead of focusing on piecemeal solutions, organisations need comprehensive strategies that integrate hardware, software, and operational support.
Key Considerations for CEOs, CFOs, and Fleet Managers
1 – EV Journey Phase
Fleet managers must identify their stage in the EV journey to determine whether they need a supplier or an implementation partner. For small-scale trials, suppliers might suffice. However, as fleets scale, the complexity demands a different approach.
“We sit down with clients to look at every issue that’s come up with their first EVs, extrapolate it tenfold, and ask, ‘What are we going to do?’” Washington explains.
2 – Risk Mitigation
EV charging infrastructure is critical infrastructure, and any failure can result in costly downtime. Washington emphasises the importance of operational accountability: “We take the risk from them in running the charging network. If it screws up, that’s on us.”
3 – Compliance and Reporting
Emissions reporting is increasingly vital. Washington highlights the stakes: “Boards are coming to CEOs and asking for Scope 2 and 3 emissions data. If you can’t consolidate your fleet’s information, you’ll struggle with compliance, and that’s a risk for audits.”
What Makes a Good Implementation Partner?
Agnostic and Transparent
A good partner is technology-agnostic and prioritises the client’s best interests. “You almost need someone on your side who understands all the bullshit, is agnostic, and can help you cut through the crap,” Washington says. “We put technology and value baselines in place and help assess the best options.”
Scalability and Planning
Implementation partners must future-proof charging networks to scale with the business. “We ask organisations, ‘What happens when you’ve got 500 EVs?’ Our role is to stitch it all together, ensuring the infrastructure is reliable and scalable,” he explains.
Operational Support
Managing a charging network is more than installation. It includes user management, home charging reimbursement, and ongoing maintenance. “It’s not just about equipment; it’s about the admin and operations,” says Washington. “Fleet and property managers don’t have the time to deal with this stuff, and organisations often can’t justify hiring additional staff for it.”
Procurement Insights: Integrating Components for Success
For procurement professionals, selecting an EV charging implementation partner involves a holistic approach:
- Hardware and Software: Ensure chargers and management systems integrate seamlessly with fleet operations.
- Site Readiness: Assess properties for electrical capacity and layout suitability.
- Ongoing Maintenance and Support: Choose a partner who offers maintenance and operational support to minimise downtime.
- Employee Engagement: Train staff and support EV drivers to ensure smooth adoption.
A fragmented procurement process—where vehicles, chargers, and software are sourced independently—leads to inefficiencies.
Washington advises, “We’re not here to replace procurement departments. We’re here to make sure you’re procuring the right things, deploying them safely, and operating them efficiently.”
CFO Perspective: Balancing Costs and ROI
CFOs must evaluate both upfront and ongoing costs. While budget constraints often drive procurement, the cheapest solution may not deliver long-term reliability or scalability. Missteps can lead to higher operational costs and lost revenue.
Key considerations include:
- Initial Deployment: Costs for equipment, installation, and site upgrades.
- Operational Costs: Maintenance, electricity, and software subscriptions.
- Downtime Risks: Lost revenue from unavailable charging infrastructure.
“Customers transitioning at scale care far less about hardware and far more about risk mitigation,” Washington notes. An experienced partner ensures reliable operations while optimising costs.
CEO Considerations: Strategic and Reputational Impacts
CEOs are responsible for steering their organisation’s sustainability strategy and ensuring compliance. Washington highlights the importance of planning for audits: “If your board asks for fleet emissions data and you don’t have it, that’s a significant risk. We help businesses plan forward, ensuring their charging networks support compliance and operational goals.”
Robust EV charging networks also safeguard an organisation’s reputation by aligning with net-zero targets and demonstrating a commitment to innovation.
Why Local Government and Large Organisations Are Key Players
Australian local governments and large organisations are leading the EV transition, albeit at varying levels of maturity. While some councils are still trialling hybrids, others are scaling EV transitions. Washington observes, “For logistics providers and government fleets, charging infrastructure is critical. If it doesn’t work, it costs tens of thousands of dollars per vehicle per day.”
JET Charge works with organisations to treat charging infrastructure as critical, helping ensure operational reliability and cost efficiency.
Building a Sustainable Future with the Right Partner
The EV charging landscape will only grow more complex as adoption increases. Fleet managers, procurement professionals, CFOs, and CEOs must navigate these changes with a focus on collaboration and strategic planning.
By choosing the right implementation partner, businesses can:
- Streamline their EV transition.
- Mitigate risks associated with charging infrastructure.
- Achieve compliance with emissions reporting and sustainability mandates.
- Focus on core operations without worrying about charging network issues.
A Call to Action
For organisations ready to move beyond trials and embrace large-scale EV transitions, selecting the right EV charging implementation partner is essential. Washington’s advice underscores this urgency: “The point isn’t whether things will fail—electronics sometimes do. The point is how you manage user needs, reimbursements, and ensure reliability. That’s where an implementation partner comes in.”
By partnering with knowledgeable, reliable experts, businesses can future-proof their fleets and lead the charge into a sustainable future.
