Choosing the right EV for your company’s fleet 

Whether you have a local fleet of vehicles that run short distances or a delivery cargo van that covers a fair number of kilometres a day, or even if your distance range is beyond this, commercial electric vehicles could be a good fit.

You may have heard that electric vehicle (EV) adoption is steadily growing in Australia in support of the country’s net-zero emissions goals, while investment in charging station points has also been turbocharged; but how are we travelling when it comes to the bigger contributor to carbon emissions: commercial transport fleets?

Australia still has a way to go with fleet decarbonization, but we are forging ahead. 

A Report by AMFA found that more fleets are now using Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) with 45 per cent of fleets now having at least one BEV, up from 25 per cent in 2020. Government fleets are at the forefront of EV adoption.

As a comparison, the United States is also taking action. McKinsey Sustainability Insights projects that commercial and passenger fleets in the US could include as many as eight million EVs by 2030 (up from less than 5000 in 2018), which would amount to 10-15 per cent of all fleet vehicles. 

You may have heard that electric vehicle (EV) adoption is steadily growing in Australia in support of the country’s net-zero emissions goals, while investment in charging station points has also been turbocharged; but how are we travelling when it comes to the bigger contributor to carbon emissions: commercial transport fleets?

New models available

According to a reputable EV news site in Australia: The Driven, these are some new models you might want to consider for your commercial fleet: Arrival mid-late 2024

01 /

Ford

Has announced that its smaller light commercial E-Transit Custom van will be arriving in Australia in the latter half of 2024.

02 /

Peugeot Australia

Has confirmed the arrival of the larger light commercial e-Expert van in late 2024. This model provides more space and a longer driving range compared to the smaller e-Partner van.

03 /

Renault’s Master E-Tech

The largest in their light commercial van lineup, is set to debut in Australia in 2024. Positioned between the smaller Kangoo E-Tech and the larger Master E-Tech, the Renault Trafic E-Tech light commercial van offers enhanced efficiency and can travel up to 297 km on a full charge. Renault plans to introduce the Trafic E-Tech in Australia in late 2024.

04 /

Zeekr

AChinese brand under the Geely umbrella—which also owns Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus—will be launching its luxury electric people mover, the Zeekr 009, in Australia during the second half of 2024. The Zeekr 009 utilizes the same Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform as the Volvo EX30 and Polestar.

Carsguide also put together a list of ‘top 10 commercial vehicles to keep an eye on in Australia’. Among its favourites are the Renault Kangoo Z.E van, BYD T3 van, Skywell EC11 cargo van, Tesla Cybertruck and the Mercedes-Benz eVito panel van.

Future looks bright

There’s more good news and green shoots on the horizon in transport decarbonisation in Australia. Car reviewers are tipping that Australians will soon see an EV version of the very popular Toyota HiLux Ute after the company confirmed it will begin making it by the end of 2025. As a nation, we are also starting to flex our innovation muscle in commercial EV technology development. Homegrown EV start-up SEA-Electric has created an Australian software and component system to be fitted into light commercial vehicles including delivery and distribution vans. They recently signed up to a groundbreaking exclusive supply deal with two global manufacturers – Japanese truck giant Hino (a Toyota subsidiary) and Volvo’s Mack – to deliver thousands of its ‘drivetrain’ system units to electrify this segment of the commercial vehicle sector. So, watch this space! For more information you can also check out the Governments guide to green vehicles: https://www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au/

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