In November, The Evolution Group announced plans to transition its fleet of 500 utilities to electric vehicles over the next five years in Australia and New Zealand.
Founded in 2004, Evolution has grown from a single traffic control depot in Brisbane to being an international business with 15 depots across Australia and New Zealand, as well as dedicated personnel in the Philippines.
As the first traffic management company Australia and NZ to commit to fully electrifying its fleet of light utility vehicles, they will convert a number of existing fleet vehicles to electric and in the future replace retiring fleet with new and fully electrified light utility vehicles. The first vehicle is expected in 2023.
Evolution secured a partnership with the global light utility vehicle electrification leader Tembo (a subsidiary of NASDAQ listed VivoPower International PLC) that will help achieve the target of full electrification for up to 500 utes over the next 5 years subject to the successful completion of commercial and technical on-road trials, with a target to have the first fully electrified utility vehicle certified and roadworthy in 2023.
Kerry Daly, Non-Executive Chairman of Evolution, said: “Evolution is constantly evaluating opportunities to offer innovative and competitive solutions to its clients and to the industry as a whole. We have one of the largest fleets of vehicles for traffic management services across Australia and New Zealand and being the first to commit fully to the electrification of our vehicles will help to set new eco-friendly standards for the industry. After a review of proposals and capabilities of different electric vehicle conversion companies, the independent board members of Evolution have selected Tembo on the basis of their global experience, capability to deliver, training and change management credentials as well as the broader VivoPower sustainable energy solutions offering.”
Gary Challinor, Chief Operating Officer of VivoPower, said: “We are delighted to have been selected for this important agreement and partnership to repower Evolution’s fleet of light utility vehicles for traffic control and fleet management. It is a first for the repowering of an existing fleet in Australia and New Zealand and also a first for the traffic management sector. We are looking forward to working closely with Evolution, not only to provide conversion EV powertrain kits, ruggedisation and customisation, but also importantly to deliver training and change management, as well as complementary sustainable energy solutions”.
Sharing some company expansion plans on the occasion, he added: “Tembo is currently evaluating options and in discussions with financiers for establishing assembly facilities in Australia and is considering South East Queensland as a preferred location.”
