World EV Day 2024 with CardSmart

New research released today by New Zealand vehicle payments company CardSmart & sister company FleetCard in Australia reveals corporate sustainability goals, tax benefits, and incentives are the three biggest factors driving the EV transition in managed fleets.

While nearly 44% of fleet drivers appreciate the positive contribution EVs have on society, incorporating EVs into existing car fleets is a long-term goal for fleet managers, with current costs and infrastructure limitations named as two key challenges.

CardSmart & FleetCard’s Australasian research reveals 15% of fleet managers currently have at least one EV in their fleet, with 7% of respondents noting EVs make up just 10% of their existing fleet.

Positively, the goal for over half of fleet managers surveyed is for EVs to make up 10% of their fleet, while over a third wish to have EVs comprise up to 25% of their fleet, by 2030.

‘Range Anxiety’, a driver’s fear that a vehicle has insufficient energy storage (fuel and/or battery capacity) to cover the road distance needed to reach its intended destination, and leave the driver stranded, is reflected in the research.

The time it takes to charge EVs, and finding a location to do so, are the two biggest fleet driver issues (36.25% & 25.94% respectively), but this statistic is one been countered by CardSmart’s collaboration with ChargeNet and openloop.

Nullifying ‘Range Anxiety’, CardSmart +Electric product provides EV and Hybrid vehicles with an immense network of traditional re-fuelling and over 300 ChargeNet and openloop charging sites across New Zealand.

Allowing drivers to bill the recharge to the company account, the CardSmart +Electric card provides greater flexibility to fleet managers when it comes time to consider fleet upgrades.

Sam Steel, Managing Director of Corpay Australia and New Zealand, CardSmart’s parent company, said the natural next step in fleet management is the consideration of hybrid and electric vehicles.

“Our addition of CardSmart +Electric is helping our customers to make an easy transition to EV, and our partnership with ChargeNet and openloop in New Zealand and Chargefox in Australia gives them access to a vast national network of charging stations, meaning drivers don’t have to stress about on-road charging.”

While fleets don’t update overnight, CardSmart +Electric fleet management offer combines fuel of all types – whether it be petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric, allowing for flexibility when considering upgrading vehicle fleets.

Case Study: The EV Trend will continue to grow

With two EVs in a fleet of 11 vehicles, Paul Benson, Director of Centec Group expects to bring more EVs into his fleet as the market matures and charging becomes more efficient.

“With a greater range and style of EV available, along with the ability to manage and predict costs associated, this EV trend will continue to grow and prosper,” said Benson, noting the decision to include EVs in the fleet was due to growing sustainability awareness and driver preferences.

Benson notes ‘Range Anxiety’ was a consideration when it came to EV re-charging locations. “Charging is a considerable challenge and local charging stations can sometimes be few and far between. As EVs become more popular, drivers can face a considerable wait to get access to charging stations,” said Paul.

The centralised platform for managing vehicle expenses of +Electric also assists with staff payment options. “The addition of EVs to the fleet complicated things a little as not all employees have a company credit card. The +Electric card allows the expenses for all our vehicles to be managed in a simple and efficient system and ensures no one is inconvenienced.”

To incorporate this sustainable approach at every step, Corpay New Zealand’s CardLink Systems/CardSmart  has also recently officially been certified as Carbon Neutral by the Toitu Envirocare program! This significant milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainability and the environment.

To find out more or to get your company’s EV fleet journey started, visit: https://www.CardSmart.co.nz/electric