The Queensland Government’s new QFleet Vehicle Emissions Reduction Strategy 2025–2030 offers a timely reminder to Fleet Managers everywhere: which ‘E’ is your fleet really trying to achieve—emission reduction or electric vehicles?
Under the previous QFleet policy, the focus was clear—accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). But the new strategy, introduced by the Crisafulli Government, moves away from a mandated EV quota and instead sets a goal to reduce overall fleet emissions by 10% by June 2030.
It’s a pragmatic shift, and one that many Fleet Managers in both government and the private sector will recognise as sound.
Too often, fleets equate EV targets with sustainability success. But as QFleet’s new strategy acknowledges, the broader goal is to reduce emissions—whether through EVs, plug-in hybrids, or simply smarter vehicle choices and utilisation.
The strategy’s expanded focus now covers all vehicle types, including light commercials, and encourages agencies to manage emissions at a whole-of-fleet level. Importantly, it allows more flexibility to accommodate operational realities—particularly in regional Queensland, where charging infrastructure remains a constraint.
The document makes a strong case: “Our new Strategy moves beyond simply mandating one type of vehicle for procurement. For the first time, it focuses on and will measure the outcome we want to achieve—reducing our fleet emissions.”
For Fleet Managers, this is a useful framing. Electric vehicles are a powerful tool for decarbonisation—but they’re not the only one. Vehicle optimisation, fleet utilisation, driver behaviour, and fuel choice all contribute to lowering emissions.
As organisations update their own fleet policies, QFleet’s approach is a useful model. Start by asking: which E matters more in your context? If the answer is truly emission reduction, then flexibility and a whole-of-fleet strategy will deliver better outcomes—just as Queensland is now pursuing.
