At the Everything Electric show in Sydney, a panel organised by Origin Energy brought together fleet industry leaders, government representatives, and sustainability advocates to discuss the opportunities and challenges of transitioning fleets to electric vehicles (EVs).
The panel featured:
- Julie Delvecchio, CEO of the Electric Vehicle Council
- Anna Martinis, Manager of Electric Fleets and EV Integration, NSW Government
- Edwin Moses, Group Commercial Manager at ANC Deliveries
- Mark Trainor, Director of Asset Management, Anglican Diocesan Services (ADS)
The discussion covered EV adoption trends, fleet management strategies, home and depot charging solutions, policy changes, and future outlooks for the Australian EV market.
The Shift Towards EV Fleets in Australia
Opening the discussion, Julie Delvecchio highlighted how the EV industry is at a pivotal moment, with significant momentum driving adoption.
“The electric vehicle sector is really at an exceptional point. There’s a huge opportunity ahead of us. What we’ve seen in the most recent figures is that EVs are bucking the trend, with over 11% of new sales now being electric.”
She also emphasised the increasing business case for fleet electrification.
“From a consumer point of view, many people are already experiencing over $3,000 in annual savings by switching to an EV. If you extrapolate that across an entire fleet, the opportunity is enormous.”
With the new vehicle efficiency standards set to commence in 2025, Delvecchio expects even greater affordability and variety in EV options.
“2025 is a year where we’ll see efficiency standards implemented, bringing more choice, variety, and lower prices. That will make it even easier for fleets to transition.”
How ADS is Electrifying Its Fleet
Representing the Anglican Diocesan Services (ADS) fleet, Mark Trainor shared the organisation’s experience transitioning its 330+ vehicles to electric.
“We’ve been on this journey for about three years. It started with a Climate Action Plan Committee, which helped us map out a clear EV strategy. That was key in getting buy-in from our agency heads.”
ADS began with a pilot program of just two EVs before scaling up.
“We wanted to learn from a small-scale rollout first. That helped us refine our policies, identify infrastructure gaps, and develop a clear change management plan.”
A major focus for ADS was home charging, ensuring drivers could charge efficiently while being fairly reimbursed.
“We specifically targeted take-home vehicles for our first EV deployments. We installed about 24-26 home chargers with SIM cards that track electricity usage, allowing employees to get reimbursed.”
This approach has led to substantial savings.
“Right now, we’re paying just 21 cents per kWh for home charging. That means charging a 70kWh battery costs about $14—far cheaper than fuel.”
ADS has also cut fleet emissions significantly.
“When we started, our fleet’s carbon emissions were around 42 tonnes per month. Now, we’re down to about 24 tonnes per month. The data makes it clear—EVs are a smart investment.”
ANC Deliveries: Overcoming Challenges in Commercial EV Adoption
Edwin Moses, from ANC Deliveries, discussed the complexities of electrifying commercial delivery fleets, particularly regarding charging infrastructure and range limitations.
“The biggest challenge for us isn’t the vehicles—it’s the charging. Where do we put the infrastructure? How do we scale charging across multiple depot locations? These are the real questions.”
He explained how ANC is working with energy providers and depot operators to develop charging solutions that work for commercial fleets.
“We’ve had to rethink site layouts, shift vehicle parking arrangements, and ensure grid capacity can handle the load. It’s a big shift from the traditional diesel fleet model.”
Despite these challenges, the business case for EVs is becoming more compelling.
“The total cost of ownership is much lower. We used to spend $20,000-$30,000 a year on fuel per vehicle. With EVs, those costs are drastically reduced.”
Moses also shared how driver attitudes towards EVs are changing.
“At first, there was hesitation. Range anxiety, charging concerns, unfamiliarity with regen braking—it was all new. But once drivers actually use an EV, they see the benefits.”
ANC is using telematics and driver engagement programs to ease the transition.
“We track driving patterns, monitor charging habits, and actively educate drivers on how to get the most range out of their EVs. It’s a learning curve, but it’s worth it.”
Government Incentives and Charging Infrastructure Expansion
The NSW Government is playing a crucial role in supporting fleet electrification, as outlined by Anna Martinis.
“The NSW Government has recognised that fleet decarbonisation is fundamental to reaching our emissions targets. That’s why we’re investing heavily in public charging networks and fleet incentives.”
She highlighted current funding initiatives, including subsidies for fleet EV procurement and charging infrastructure.
“Right now, businesses can receive between $5,000 and $20,000 per vehicle in funding, plus between $4,000 and $8,000 for charging infrastructure.”
Additionally, the government is expanding public charging stations to ensure regional fleets have reliable access to charging.
“Across fast charging, destination charging, and curbside charging, we’ve funded nearly 3,000 charging points, with 1,400 already installed. The goal is to make charging convenient for all fleets, not just urban ones.”
Education and training are also key priorities.
“Fleet electrification isn’t just about the vehicles—it’s about upskilling fleet managers, procurement teams, and drivers. That’s why we’re running webinars, training programs, and information sessions.”
Key Takeaways from the Panel
EV Transition Requires Clear Strategy & Buy-in
Mark Trainor: “Get leadership buy-in early. Having a Climate Action Plan helped ADS secure support from decision-makers.”
Julie Delvecchio: “More fleets are switching to EVs because the financial benefits are clear.”
Charging Infrastructure is a Major Challenge
Edwin Moses: “It’s not just about getting EVs—it’s about ensuring you can charge them where and when you need to.”
Anna Martinis: “We’re working on increasing public and private charging options to support fleet adoption.”
Driver Training & Education Are Essential
Mark Trainor: “We train every driver one-on-one to make sure they understand how to operate and charge their EV.”
Edwin Moses: “Driver hesitation disappears once they realise EVs are smoother, quieter, and cheaper to run.”
EV Costs Are Declining, Making Business Case Stronger
Julie Delvecchio: “With new efficiency standards and more affordable models, fleet managers should be looking at EVs now.”
Anna Martinis: “Government incentives make switching to EVs more financially viable than ever.”
Conclusion: 2025 Will Be a Pivotal Year for EV Fleets
As the panel discussion at Everything Electric made clear, fleet electrification is no longer a future consideration—it’s happening now.
With falling EV costs, increasing government support, and growing corporate commitment to sustainability, 2025 is set to be a landmark year for Australian fleet decarbonisation.
For businesses yet to start their EV transition, the message from the panel was clear:
“Start now. The business case for EVs is stronger than ever, and the transition will only accelerate from here.”
