Evert Verhage, Fleet Manager at the City of Charles Sturt, gave a practical and insightful presentation at the 2025 IPWEA Fleet Conference in Brisbane last month, sharing the council’s journey toward a lower-emission fleet. His talk covered everything from electric vehicles and hybrid trucks to plant equipment and charging infrastructure, offering a real-world view of what’s working and where the challenges still lie.
Starting with a Climate Emergency
The City of Charles Sturt, located in metropolitan Adelaide and covering 52 square kilometres, declared a climate emergency in 2019. This declaration set in motion a wide-ranging sustainability strategy, including upgrades to lighting, solar installations, and renewable electricity contracts. Fleet was just one part of the broader initiative, but a critical one for visible change and emissions reduction.
In 2021, the council committed to the South Australian Government’s fleet pledge to transition all passenger vehicles to battery electric by 2030. While state-level support for the pledge has since waned, the council continues to work toward that target on its own.
Building an Electric Light Fleet
The council’s light fleet includes 63 vehicles, with a mix of passenger vehicles and light commercial units. Over the last few years, Charles Sturt has made a strong push towards battery electric vehicles (BEVs), particularly for staff who salary-package their cars.
The current fleet includes 15 BEVs, covering brands such as Tesla, Polestar, MG, and Toyota, alongside 35 hybrids. ICE vehicles are being phased out as leases end, and BEVs are prioritised over hybrids wherever practical. Vehicle selection is regularly reviewed based on whole-of-life costs, FBT savings, and staff preferences.
A key enabler has been salary packaging of electric vehicles. The council developed clear policies to manage risk and expectations, including requirements for staff to notify insurers and understand the responsibilities of owning an EV. Home charging is allowed, with reimbursement set at 27 cents per kilowatt hour. All EVs are fitted with Geotab telematics, which allows staff to track energy use and submit claims through an internal system.
Tackling Range Anxiety and Charging
Early concerns about range were addressed by analysing which vehicles were most suited for early transition, based on weekly travel distances, staff locations, and duty cycles. The pool fleet played a role in building confidence, as staff gained hands-on experience with EVs.
Rather than overbuilding infrastructure, the council started with a modest number of 22kW AC chargers—three per depot—and has gradually increased the number to seven across two locations. This has been achieved without costly switchboard or transformer upgrades, thanks to careful planning and consultation with specialists like EVSE Australia.
Charging is limited to fleet use only. While one depot has public parking, chargers have been installed discreetly to prevent public access. Solar power is used where possible, and EV data is collected via vehicle telematics, reducing the need for complex charging hardware.
A Cautious Entry into Heavy Fleet
While interest in electric trucks is growing, Charles Sturt has taken a cautious approach to heavy vehicles. Trials have been conducted with vehicles like the Foton and Volvo electric trucks, allowing operational staff to test them in real-world conditions before any purchasing decisions are made.
Feedback from drivers is prioritised to ensure operational suitability. So far, the council is not committing heavily to full electric trucks, due to current limitations around cost, range, and performance. However, there are plans to trial one electric truck or plant item in the next financial year to demonstrate progress to the community.
Hybrid trucks have been more successful. The council operates five Hino hybrid trucks that are delivering fuel savings and have proven reliable. These are seen as a practical interim step while electric technology matures.
Changing the Culture Around Plant and Equipment
One of the biggest cultural challenges has been moving from petrol-powered tools to battery plant. Many staff had used two-stroke tools for years and were resistant to change. The council addressed this by lending battery tools to teams for trial periods and collecting detailed feedback. This helped tailor purchases and build trust in the new equipment.
Three years on, Charles Sturt has a growing inventory of battery-powered tools. Brands like Stihl, Milwaukee and Husqvarna have been used for everything from blowers and pole saws to concrete saws. Battery units have delivered reduced noise, fewer vibrations, and improved safety features. These additional WHS benefits have helped get teams on board.
A dedicated battery charging room has been set up to reduce fire risk, with precautions in place to manage charging safely and prevent thermal incidents.
On-Site Charging for Plant and Tools
To solve the issue of flat batteries during outdoor work, the council partnered with Redarc to trial a mobile solar and lithium-based charging system. These units are fitted to vehicles and allow staff to recharge battery tools while on site. The system charges from solar during the day or can be topped up via 240V overnight. This reduces downtime and supports continuous use of battery gear without requiring bulky generators or multiple spare batteries.
Practical Advice for Other Councils
Evert’s presentation reinforced the importance of taking a staged approach. Charles Sturt’s success has come from trialling technologies, listening to staff feedback, using telematics to guide decisions, and working closely with trusted suppliers. By focusing on small, manageable steps rather than big promises, the council has built a solid foundation for further emissions reductions.
The light fleet transition is well underway, hybrids are bridging the gap in the heavy fleet, and battery plant is proving effective with the right support and training. Challenges remain—particularly in the ute and heavy-duty spaces—but the direction is clear, and momentum is building.
For other councils looking to start or accelerate their fleet decarbonisation, Charles Sturt offers a down-to-earth, proven roadmap.
