The push towards zero-emissions transport in Australia is gaining momentum, and ANC’s Project Spark stands as a leading example of how partnerships can drive real change. At a recent panel event hosted by ANC, industry experts discussed the challenges, successes, and opportunities in fleet electrification, particularly for commercial and last-mile delivery vehicles.
The expert panel featured:
- Shaun Garrard – Project Manager, New Ventures, Ateco Group
- Geof Alexander – Chief Product Officer, JET Charge
- Chau Le – Group Manager E-Mobility, Origin Energy
- Bernie Wiley – Director of Sustainability, Who Gives a Crap
- Alex Kelly – Zero Emissions Delivery Lead, IKEA
Each speaker provided valuable insights into the current state of electric vehicle (EV) adoption in fleet and commercial operations, particularly through their collaboration with ANC to transition to sustainable logistics solutions.
Early Adoption and the Challenges of Electrification
Shaun Garrard from Ateco Group highlighted how LDV was one of the first brands to introduce electric commercial vehicles to the Australian market. While initial uptake was slow due to concerns around product capability and market readiness, Ateco worked closely with ANC and other fleet operators to refine their electric vans, ensuring they met the needs of commercial users.
“One of the biggest barriers we encountered was vehicle choice. Many fleet managers were hesitant, fearing that newer, better models would arrive soon, leaving them with outdated technology. We overcame this by offering flexible subscription solutions, allowing businesses to trial EVs without long-term commitments,” Garrard explained.
This strategy has proven successful, as it removes the risk of depreciation while allowing fleet managers to test the real-world viability of EVs before full-scale adoption.
Charging Infrastructure – The New Bottleneck
Geof Alexander from JET Charge addressed one of the most pressing issues in EV transition – charging infrastructure. While early adoption challenges focused on vehicle availability, the next major hurdle is charging access, particularly for commercial fleets where vehicles may not always have a fixed depot location.
“For fleet operators like ANC, we found that installing chargers at driver’s homes wasn’t always practical, as many didn’t own their properties. Instead, we worked with landlords and warehouse owners to install depot-based charging, ensuring reliability and operational efficiency,” Alexander explained.
JET Charge has also introduced charging as a service, allowing businesses to install, maintain, and scale charging solutions without the burden of upfront investment. This model is proving crucial in removing barriers for fleet electrification by outsourcing the complexities of charging deployment and maintenance.
Making the Business Case for EVs
Chau Le from Origin Energy reinforced that EV adoption is no longer just an environmental initiative, but a financially viable business strategy. With over 200 EVs in their own fleet, Origin has been actively helping businesses like ANC transition without capital risk.
“We often hear concerns about reimbursement for home charging. Drivers don’t want to foot the bill for company EVs, and businesses don’t want complicated reimbursement systems. Our seamless solution directly integrates with electricity bills, ensuring businesses pay for the exact amount of energy used for work purposes,” Le said.
Beyond infrastructure and reimbursement models, Origin is also focusing on driver experience and education. “EV scepticism often comes from a lack of exposure. Once people drive them, they don’t want to go back,” Le added.
Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Goals
Bernie Wiley from Who Gives a Crap provided a sustainability-driven perspective on fleet electrification. As an organisation committed to reducing carbon emissions, Who Gives a Crap partnered with ANC four years ago to create a dedicated EV delivery model.
“Climate change is the defining challenge of our time, and as businesses, we have a responsibility to act. Partnering with ANC has allowed us to integrate EVs into our supply chain, reducing emissions while maintaining operational efficiency,” Wiley noted.
His key takeaway? Sustainability isn’t just about making pledges – it’s about making real, measurable changes in how businesses operate.
IKEA’s Ambitious Zero-Emissions Delivery Targets
Alex Kelly shared IKEA’s journey in achieving 90% zero-emissions home deliveries in Australia by 2025, a milestone that puts the company ahead of its global sustainability targets. She highlighted the importance of partnerships with delivery providers like ANC, as well as IKEA’s $4.5 million investment in charging infrastructure to support its delivery fleet.
“In the beginning, vehicle availability was a challenge. Now, our biggest hurdle is ensuring we have the charging infrastructure to support the scale of transition we’re aiming for,” Kelly said.
By investing directly in charging infrastructure for last-mile delivery drivers, IKEA is ensuring that charging access is not a barrier to growth. This proactive approach helps smaller transport partners make the switch to electric, even if they lack the capital to invest in infrastructure themselves.
Lessons Learned: Practical Advice for Fleet Electrification
As the discussion wrapped up, each panelist shared key lessons for businesses looking to transition to EVs:
- Start Now – Progress Over Perfection: “Waiting for the perfect EV is a mistake. Start with what’s available and refine as you go.” – Shaun Garrard
- Charging is the Next Major Hurdle: “Ensure charging solutions are in place before rolling out large-scale EV adoption.” – Geof Alexander
- Flexible Models Reduce Risk: “Subscription models remove commitment fears and allow fleets to transition at their own pace.” – Shaun Garrard
- Top-Down Commitment is Crucial: “Executive buy-in makes adoption smoother. A clear sustainability commitment drives momentum.” – Chau Le
- Invest in Driver Experience & Education: “Scepticism fades once drivers experience EVs. Ride-and-drive events help build confidence.” – Chau Le
- Infrastructure Investment Pays Off: “Supporting delivery partners with charging access ensures electrification goals are met.” – Alex Kelly
Final Thoughts: The Future of Project Spark and Fleet Electrification
Project Spark, led by ANC and its partners, is proving that fleet electrification is not only possible but necessary. With strong industry collaboration, innovative financing models, and continued investment in infrastructure, Australia is on track to see a significant shift towards zero-emissions commercial transport.
As fleet managers, logistics companies, and businesses continue to navigate this transition, the lessons from Project Spark’s success story provide a valuable blueprint for the rest of the industry. The time to electrify fleets is now – and those who start today will be leading the transport sector of tomorrow.
