Our fleet decarbonisation journey: Lessons from electrifying our own fleet
Overview
We embarked on our fleet decarbonisation journey with a dual objective: reduce emissions and better understand how fleets need to evolve for a low-carbon future.
By using our own fleet as a live testing ground, we developed a practical, data-led approach to transition - ultimately eliminating Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles and reaching 38% adoption of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Challenge
We recognised early that fleet decarbonisation was inevitable. The challenge wasn’t whether to act - it was how to move forward with confidence in a still-maturing market.
Rather than wait for the market to catch up, we chose to lead from the front - using our own fleet as a test case to learn, refine, and scale.
Key challenges included:
- Limited real-world experience with EVs in a fleet context when we started in 2021
- Uncertainty around charging infrastructure, particularly at home
- Managing residential energy constraints (e.g. competing household electricity usage)
- Lack of transparency in charging data and reimbursement models
- Driver hesitation and resistance to change
- A developing EV market with limited fleet-suitable vehicles early on
We needed a way to de-risk the transition while building internal capability - not just theory.
Solution
Importantly, this wasn’t just about sustainability targets. We needed to understand, firsthand, what the future of fleet would actually look like in practice - for us, and for our customers.
1. Test-and-Learn Approach
- We introduced 8 electric and hybrid vehicles into our fleet
- Built firsthand understanding of performance, reliability, and driver experience
- Confirmed early that EVs were easy to drive, reliable, and fit-for-purpose
2. Charging and Energy Management
- We explored both home and workplace charging solutions
- Assessed dynamic load management, ensuring EV charging wouldn’t overload household systems or impact other appliances
- Worked through the real-world constraints of residential energy environments
3. Data and Transparency
- We implemented systems aligned with the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) - an industry standard that allows charging infrastructure to communicate usage data
- This gave us visibility over how, when, and where vehicles were being charged
- Enabled better reporting, governance, and decision-making
4. Fleet Strategy Evolution
- We established a clear, pragmatic principle: “EV where we can, plug-in hybrid where we must.”
- We phased out all ICE vehicles
- Introduced both fuel cards and charging solutions to maintain flexibility for drivers
5. Change Management and Adoption
- We prioritised driver education to address resistance and build confidence
- Focused on real-world usage scenarios - range, charging access, and daily travel patterns
- Took a gradual approach, allowing adoption to normalise over time
6. Thinking Beyond the Vehicle
- We began exploring broader infrastructure models, including hub-and-spoke charging approaches
- Considered integration with emerging energy solutions such as Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
- Grounded all decisions in practical, commercial outcomes - the same approach we take with our customers
Outcome
By taking a proactive, self-led approach, we successfully advanced the decarbonisation of our fleet while building meaningful internal capability, enabling us to support our clients on their own decarbonisation journeys:
Clear progression:
- ~20% EV penetration in early stages
- 33% by end of FY25
- 42% Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) in FY26
- 100% removal of ICE vehicles in FY26[TW3.1][SA3.2]
- Achieved measurable improvements in:
- Emissions reduction
- Fuel cost savings
- Driver confidence and acceptance
- Established a scalable, future-ready fleet model aligned with increasing availability of fleet-suitable EVs
- Built deep internal expertise across fleet electrification, charging infrastructure, and energy management
Most importantly, we moved beyond theory - creating a real-world blueprint for fleet decarbonisation, grounded in lived operational experience.
Contact us to find out how we can help you plan your decarbonisation journey today