Custom Fleet moves to one-stop EV shop

This story first appeared in the April issue of AutoTalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

A “turn-key” style EV solution likely to be integrated world-wide has been launched in New Zealand with Custom Fleet’s EV+ electric vehicle programme.

In an exclusive interview with EVtalk, Custom Fleet and its parent company Element Fleet Management Corporation – a global leasing and finance company – have announced a partnership with EV-related companies to provide a suite of options and expertise.

The partnership includes Schneider Electric, Laser Group Services and ChargetNet NZ.

Custom Fleet’s EV+ programme delivers a complete EV ecosystem to its customers for simplicity and ease.

That includes a range of reporting so customers can easily track electricity use, revenue and environmental impact, use an automated billing system and reimbursement for common electricity use, while any EV issues can be remotely diagnosed and support provided where required.

“It’s not just about the EVs but helping customers to find solutions of the right type and value for them,” Custom Fleet New Zealand country leader Michelle Herlihy says.

She joined the Drive Electric NZ board last year and is excited about the innovation EVs bring to the fleet industry and the opportunity for businesses to meet sustainability goals through adding EVs to their fleet.

Custom Fleet says the EV+ programme brings together inhouse fleet experts and strategic partners from the EV ecosystem to provide customers with a wing-to-wing, EV transition solution for fleets across New Zealand and Australia.

The programme comprises vehicle cost and needs analysis, a transition strategy (using data, policies and human experience), charging solutions, reporting on all aspects of the EV and charging costs and behaviours, integrated invoicing, and more.

“We are best placed to advise on all the cost levers, maintenance, warranties and residual values based on what we are seeing in our European and North American counterparts as well as in the local market,” the company says.

Information from Norway, one of the leading EV countries, suggests about 70% of EV users charge at home, 20% at work and 10% at public chargers.

Herlihy says it will be interesting to see how that translates to New Zealand, but that EV+ offers customers every option.

Customers want credible advice about transitioning to EVs, so EV+ questions whether an EV meets business use cases (it must be fit for purpose), determines what the total ownership cost is; suggests optimal lease terms; asks how it can reduce range anxiety (facilitate access to and deployment of equipment and charging infrastructure); and how to combine different data sources to make the information meaningful for a fleet manager.

Element Fleet Management executive vice-president and chief operating officer Jim Halliday says New Zealand is ideal for testing the programme which he expects to see rolled out globally.

He says New Zealand’s growing EV uptake, renewable energy resources, rapidly improving charging infrastructure and other factors contributed to the decision to start here.

“New Zealand seems to be in the best position to do something like this compared with five other countries we looked at,” Halliday says.

“We’re excited to make something here that’s a little different.”

Custom Fleet Australia and New Zealand chief executive officer Aaron Baxter says the company has been operating in Australia and New Zealand for about 40 years and joined Canada’s Toronto-based Element Fleet Management Corporation just over three years ago.

Element’s services are delivered through a global partnership with Arval (part of BNP Paribas).

The Element-Arval Global Alliance (EAGA) has more than three million vehicles under management across 50 countries.

Custom Fleet has more than 100,000 vehicles under management, involving more than 1000 of the largest corporates in Australia and New Zealand, and offers a full suite of leasing products and services.

“We also have a relationship with 60 of the top 100 companies in New Zealand and across the middle market sector as well,” Baxter says.

He says Custom Fleet manages a number of New Zealand Government fleets, where interest in EVs is high.

“We have about 100 staff here, mainly in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and across the regions.”

Baxter also notes that New Zealand has a good second-hand market for EVs, with fleets able to contribute once vehicles come off lease.

Halliday adds that Element is a leading fleet provider in Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia with some 2700 staff.

“Customers don’t have to worry because we take care of it all.”

growth during the last few years, with EV registrations passing the 13,000 mark.

However, it is still short of the aspirational targets set by the previous government of having 64,000 EVs on the road by 2021, Custom Fleet believes.

Transport accounts for almost 40% of New Zealand’s energy use, and fossil-fuelled vehicles are responsible for more than 50% of New Zealand’s energy-related carbon emissions, the company says.

Custom Fleet aims to lead by example and is well positioned to help accelerate EV adoption.