As fleet managers across Australia navigate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), many focus on procurement, infrastructure, and total cost of ownership. However, an often-overlooked challenge is staff education and engagement—a key factor in the success of any EV transition.
At the Everything Electric show in Sydney earlier this month, a panel organised by Origin Energy featured fleet and industry leaders who highlighted how education and change management are just as important as selecting the right EVs and chargers.
“The transition to electric is something that touches everything and everyone in an organisation—from fleet managers and asset managers to finance, procurement, and, most importantly, drivers,” said Anna Martinis, Manager of Electric Fleets and EV Integration at NSW Government.
Fleet managers traditionally focus on vehicle selection, maintenance, and cost control, but as EV adoption grows, their role is expanding. They now must also navigate staff engagement, training, and behavioural change—something that many try to avoid because it falls outside their traditional responsibilities.
Why Education & Engagement Matter in Fleet Electrification
One of the key barriers to EV adoption is staff resistance. Many drivers, particularly those used to diesel vehicles, are wary of EVs due to misconceptions around range, charging infrastructure, and performance.
“Initially, there was hesitation. Drivers had range anxiety and were unfamiliar with regen braking. But once they actually got behind the wheel of an EV, they saw the benefits,” said Edwin Moses, Group Commercial Manager at ANC Deliveries.
At Anglican Diocesan Services (ADS), Mark Trainor, Director of Asset Management, has made one-on-one driver training a priority in their EV rollout.
“I personally sit down with drivers, take them through the EV, show them the charging process, and we do an introduction drive together,” he said. “That hands-on experience is essential.”
ADS also incorporates EV education into internal leadership forums and staff communications to reinforce why the transition is happening and the benefits it brings.
“We make sure staff understand the impact—our fleet emissions have dropped from 42 tonnes per month to 24 tonnes. When you show the data, it’s indisputable,” Trainor said.
A Whole-Organisation Approach
Education can’t just be about drivers—it must include finance, procurement, and facilities teams, who all play a role in making EV integration successful.
“Fleet electrification isn’t just about the vehicles—it’s about upskilling the entire organisation,” Martinis said. “That’s why we’re running webinars, training programs, and information sessions.”
With more affordable EV models entering the market and government incentives making fleet transitions more viable, organisations that engage their staff early will see the most success.
“The organisations that invest in education and training will be the ones that transition the fastest and with the least friction,” Delvecchio added.
For fleet managers hesitant to take on staff engagement, the message from the panel was clear:
“You can’t just hand over the keys to an EV and hope for the best. Education is the missing link that makes or breaks an EV transition,” Trainor said.
