Ausgrid is a finalist in the Fleet of the Year category in the 2026 Fleet News Group Awards.
In the final article in our six-part series, we look at a practical example of how the organisation is combining operational efficiency with its broader fleet electrification strategy.
Sometimes fleet innovation starts with a simple question. Why move the truck to the mechanic if the mechanic can go to the truck?
Reducing time off tools
Ausgrid recently launched a mobile mechanic service after identifying the cost and disruption involved in moving heavy vehicles back and forth for maintenance.
When a truck has to travel to a workshop, the cost is not limited to the repair itself. There may also be towing, travel, employee time and vehicle downtime to consider.
Nick Black, Head of Fleet, Logistics & EVCi at Ausgrid, explained during the Fleet News Group Awards interview that moving trucks back and forth had been costing money and reducing productive time.
Taking maintenance to the asset
The mobile mechanic service was introduced to take maintenance capability closer to the vehicle or piece of equipment.
If suitable work can be completed where the asset is already located, Ausgrid can potentially avoid some of the transport and downtime associated with bringing it back to a workshop.
The concept is straightforward, and that is part of its strength.
Fleet improvement does not always require a large transformation program. Sometimes it comes from removing an unnecessary step from an existing process.
The service vehicle is electric
The mobile mechanic service itself uses an electric truck. That connects the productivity initiative with Ausgrid’s wider fleet electrification strategy.
At the time of the Awards interview, most of the passenger fleet had already been electrified, close to 30 electric vans were operating, five electric trucks in the 4.5-tonne class had been introduced and heavier applications were being tested.
The mobile mechanic truck adds another operational use case.
Four strategy pillars in one project
Ausgrid’s CEO-endorsed fleet strategy is built around four pillars: safe to work, fit for purpose, value for money and electrification.
The mobile mechanic service provides a useful example of how those priorities can overlap. The truck needs to be safe for the employee operating it and the maintenance work being performed.
It needs to be fit for the purpose of carrying the required tools and equipment. It needs to reduce avoidable cost and downtime. And it contributes another electric vehicle application to the fleet.
Innovation should make the operation better
The six stories in this series show that Ausgrid’s Fleet of the Year nomination is not built around one project.
The organisation is balancing storm resilience with fleet utilisation, expanding electrification beyond passenger cars, developing charging across different locations, using telematics to influence safer driving and maintaining detailed digital asset records.
The mobile mechanic service is another part of that broader approach.
It demonstrates a fleet team looking for practical opportunities to reduce waste while preparing for longer-term changes in technology.
Why vote for Ausgrid?
Ausgrid’s fleet supports an essential service across a large and demanding operating environment.
Its case for Fleet of the Year is based on strong governance and compliance, but also on what comes next: safer driver behaviour, better asset information, operational electrification, more flexible charging and practical initiatives designed to reduce cost and downtime.
Ausgrid is a finalist in the 2026 Fleet News Group Fleet of the Year Award. If you believe this combination of operational discipline and practical innovation deserves recognition, cast your vote for Ausgrid.
Vote for Ausgrid in the Fleet of the Year Award
The 2026 Fleet News Group Awards winners will be announced in Sydney on 14 October 2026.
Register your interest to attend the Fleet News Group Awards Night
