15 Oct 2025

How we’re transitioning our fleet to 100% EVs by FY27

At FleetPartners, helping businesses cut emissions and transition to electric vehicles is part of what we do every day. So it felt right to set ourselves the same challenge.

By FY27, every one of our Tool of Trade (ToT) vehicles in Australia will be electric. It’s a bold target, but we’re well on track to making it happen.

Here’s a look behind the scenes at how our electric vehicle transition is unfolding so far.

Where we started 

We started with 32 ToT vehicles across Australia, including eight vehicle for our heavy commercial team and one pool car. Our vehicles were all at different points in their lease cycles at the start of our EV transition, so we made the tough call to end six leases early. This came at a cost, but it was worth it to keep momentum and access Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemptions.

Following our own five-step framework

We’re following the same five-step framework we use to help our customers transition their fleets to electric vehicles. We’re happy to report it’s up to scratch! We’ve even identified a few ways we can improve on it – watch this space.

Before we dive into how we’re approaching each of the five steps, here’s a quick overview of our framework: 

• Step 1: Baseline & education – understand your starting point and build confidence across decision-makers.
• Step 2: Emissions modelling & fleet planning – Use data and projections to create a tailored fleet transition plan.
• Step 3: Charging strategy – Design a charging setup that works for drivers at home, at work, and on the road.
• Step 4: Employee engagement & policy updates – Bring people along for the journey, and update policies to support them.
• Step 5: Ongoing tracking and reporting – Monitor progress, capture emissions data, and refine as you go.

Baseline & education 

When we set our FY27 target, we already had a head start: our team know EVs inside and out, so we could move through this stage quickly.

For most businesses, though, this step is worth spending ample time on. It’s a chance to get crystal clear on your starting point and bring key decision-makers on board. Practically, you’ll benchmark your fleet emissions, capture your sustainability goals, and run education sessions to get everyone comfortable with new terminology. Of course, we can help you through each step.

“During the baseline & education phase, we’ll introduce you to the world of fleet emissions and arm you with the confidence to get started,” says Sam Greenwood, our Consulting Manager – Sustainable Fleets.

“It’s about building a common language, making sure people feel part of the journey and getting the buy-in you need across the business.” 

Emissions modelling & fleet planning

This step is about analysing your fleet data and setting EV targets that are realistic for your business. Our proprietary emissions tool – the first of its kind in the industry – models lease end dates, engine types, charging types, and other key data points, then maps out projections across Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.  

One of our first big decisions was what to do with for our heavy commercial team vehicles. Range is critical and the fully electric options just aren’t there yet (but they’re well on their way!). Our modelling showed that plug-in hybrids are the best fit for now. We’re leasing them on shorter terms – all ending before April 2027 – so we can stay on track for our 100% EV target and take advantage of FBT savings while we’re at it.

“The results often show it’s not as simple as switching all cars over to a battery EV. Sometimes, the best course of action is a compromise, such as a mixed fleet coupled with a renewable energy strategy, or delaying the transition of some vehicles until the technology catches up,” says Sam. 

Charging strategy

When it came to charging, we knew our drivers’ circumstances would vary. Some people had garages, some people relied on shared or street parking, and others needed flexible options. There wasn’t going to be a one-size-fits-all solution.

For our charging setup, we rolled out a mix of at-home chargers (installed by electricians), portable plug-in chargers, and charge cards for public stations. We’re also planning to install chargers at our Sydney and Melbourne offices, and we’re exploring partnerships with providers like Exploren, Thundergrid and EVSE.

This step raised a few curly questions that we needed to resolve in our electric vehicle policy, including:

• How will drivers charge across home, workplace, and public networks?
• If an employee charges at home, who owns the charger?
• What happens if an employee moves?
• How will the charger be maintained?
• Will the charger have Active Load Management to enable the fastest charging at home?
• How will you track and manage charging data for driver reimbursement and emissions reporting?

“The gold standard is a smart charger where the vehicle is garaged, so the driver can start each day with a full charge,” says Sam.

“But the real key is flexibility – your charging strategy needs to meet people where they are, while still giving the business the visibility and control it needs.” 

Employee engagement and policy updates 

Transitioning to an EV fleet isn’t just about emissions – it’s about people. We knew that if our drivers weren’t on board with the plan, our transition would stall.

We started by bringing the right people into the room. Our cross-functional group included key stakeholders from fleet management, risk, people and culture, finance and legal. Together, they updated our vehicle policy, working through details like data management, FBT implications, and how to support drivers without permanent garages.

Alongside this stakeholder group, we also consulted with drivers. We explained the updated policy, introduced the charging apps, and ran hands-on demos so they could experience the new vehicles and charging process for themselves.

“Even for people familiar with EVs, there are always new questions once you’re behind the wheel,” says Sam.

“Giving drivers the chance to test, learn and ask questions upfront makes the whole transition smoother.”

Ongoing tracking and reporting

The final step is making sure progress is measured and visible. For our own fleet, we track emissions through fuel cards (for plug-in hybrids), public EV charging cards, and data from at-home chargers. This gives us a clear view of performance and lets us confidently report on progress in our annual sustainability report.

“Having the right systems in place means we can see exactly how the transition is tracking. This visibility helps us stay accountable and keep building momentum,” says Sam. 

Lessons from our EV transition so far

Although we’re still finalising our EV transition, we’ve already learned loads from it. Here are five key takeaways to keep in mind if you’re looking at switching your fleet to electric. 

1. Start with a pilot group

A pilot group helps you test processes, iron out logistics like charger installation and reimbursement, and create advocates who will champion the benefits of EVs across your business.

2. Model accurately

Solid modelling gives you a clear, realistic roadmap. Our proprietary emissions tool helped us pinpoint the right mix of vehicles, lease terms and charging solutions, avoiding costly trial-and-error and keeping us on track for our FY27 target.

3. Support every driver

Even the most EV-savvy drivers benefit from guidance and hands-on training. Range quirks, charging behaviour and vehicle differences can catch people by surprise.

4. Be flexible 

Not every driver can install a home charger, and not every role is suited to a battery EV right away. Having options – like public charge cards, portable chargers or plug-in hybrids – helps you keep momentum.

5. Don’t wait – there’s value in going early 

Early adoption gives you a head start on reducing emissions, meeting targets and showing that your business is serious about sustainability. 

The road forward  

We’re almost a year into our EV journey and already seeing the benefits. Our drivers are loving their vehicles, our operations are running smoothly, and we’ve proven that change is possible. With mandatory climate reporting on the horizon, we’re proud to be ahead of the curve and in an even better position to help our customers with their own large-scale EV transitions.