EVs in The Warehouse Group’s sustainability drive

This story first appeared in the december issue of evtalk CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

The Warehouse Group has hit its target of switching at least 30% of its vehicle fleet to electric by the end of this year.

Procurement manager Mary Darlow says they worked through a process to get the right vehicles, the right drivers, the right education plan, the right lease company and the right charging infrastructure.

Custom Fleet was selected as the vehicle lease company which had the best fit for purpose, knowledge, service and more.

Of 258 vehicles in The Warehouse’s fleet, more than 73 of them are now EVs – mostly Hyundai Kona Electrics with about a third Hyundai Ioniqs.

About half the fleet (125) comprises delivery vans, and telematics data is being used to establish if these can be switched to electric too.

The passenger EVs are for regional managers and deemed tools of the trade for the 12 separate regions.

Darlow says range was therefore important in selection, aiming for 400km (the Kona Electric has 449km range and the Ioniq has more than 200km range).

Custom Fleet NZ country leader Michelle Herlihy says The Warehouse was well prepared for the transition and as a result was able to hit the 30% target within a relatively short period of time.

“Hyundai worked closely with Custom Fleet and The Warehouse Group to secure a large number of EVs for delivery.

This was crucial as stock is in demand and we needed to have certainty that they could deliver the vehicles to The Warehouse Group before the end of the year,” she says.

Most are charged at home, with The Warehouse Group getting AC chargers at its 24 stores, each unit able to charge two EVs at a time.

A number of charging providers are supporting The Warehouse and the EVs can also use the ChargeNet NZ fast charging network.

Laser Group undertook electrical testing and charger installations.

The Warehouse EV users who charge at home are reimbursed with a smart meter providing data like how many kWs used.

Custom Fleet regional sales manager Letitia Still says they’re happy to help The Warehouse to deliver the goods sustainably.

She explains Custom Fleet’s EV+ project considers what vehicles are fit for purpose and delivers a complete EV ecosystem to its customers for simplicity and ease.

Darlow says The Warehouse hitting its EV target is important from an environmental point of view.

“It’s about being more sustainable and doing the right thing.”

She says their aim is to lead by example.

A Kona EV road trip helped introduce EVs to The Warehouse Group’s people, the EV picked up from Porirua near Wellington and travelling to Christchurch.

Driver buy-in was important, so many had the chance to drive an EV during the EV drive day presentations.

“Although many were fearful of change, drivers soon got used to the EVs after a few weeks in them,” she says. Information was provided to drivers as well.

Darlow also spoke at the EVworld NZ 2019 conference and expo in Auckland along with The Warehouse Group chief sustainability officer David Benattar.

She says fringe benefit tax (FBT) is an issue for businesses switching to EVs.

Challenges faced by The Warehouse Group in meeting its 30% commitment were outlined in EVtalk in May.