We are leading by example, progressively transitioning our internal fleet to zero tailpipe emission vehicles through our Fleet Transition Policy. Our targets are 850 light vehicles and 104 heavy vehicles moved to EVs by 2028–29, which balances our operational requirements, available vehicle types and efficient cost management.

We are early in our fleet transition, but have commenced the immense task of evaluating and trialling new EVs for suitability for field and operational requirements. As of 30 June 2024, we had 55 EV fleet vehicles: 27 passenger vehicles, 24 forklifts, two all-terrain vehicles, and two utility vehicles (utes). Medium-sized 4WD vehicles, including utes, are the most common vehicle type in our fleet. We are trialling two EV utes, to determine if they meet our requirements. One of these is a Ford F150, which we are testing as a larger-capacity EV. Our fleet also includes 24 hybrid passenger vehicles.

We are also deploying charging infrastructure at depots. We have EV charging infrastructure at 15 sites, as of 30 June 2024, with plans for more sites during the coming year.

To engage our people in the fleet transition, during 2023-24 we partnered with NRMA and the NSW Government to hold ‘EV Drive Days’ to provide opportunities for employees to learn more about EVs and our EV Transition Plan, hear from other commercial EV users, and test drive an EV for themselves. These events coincided with NRMA/NSW Government public EV Drive Days.

Providing adequate quality and availability of charging infrastructure is important to the regional NSW economy and safety for EV drivers. Our role is to work with EV charging point operators and local government councils to support the installation and innovation of charging infrastructure across our network.

The first pole-mounted charging point was installed on our network in Hawks Nest in July 2023, in collaboration with charging company EVX and Mid-Coast Council. We are also working with charging point operators completing large-scale rollouts, including NRMA Energy, as they partner with the Australian Government to install more than 100 fast chargers nationally.