Electric vehicles are no longer a novelty in Australian fleets, but the charging infrastructure that supports them still needs work. That’s the view of Mark Lampard, Managing Director at go EV, who joined the Fleet News Group podcast recently to discuss the business of EV charging and what fleet managers should be thinking about as they electrify.
Founded in 2021 during Melbourne’s extended lockdowns, go EV has built a name for supplying DC chargers to the public charging network. “We’ve now deployed about 50 chargers across Australia—mainly 60 to 80 kilowatt units—with a lot going to Chargefox and the NRMA,” said Lampard. “We’ve had good feedback from customers on reliability, and that’s really what matters.”
But it’s not just public infrastructure. Lampard says the business is now turning its attention to fleet and heavy vehicle depots. “The future for go EV is in delivering solutions for customers. We’re transitioning into more of a full-service provider.”
He believes fleets are already across the basic decisions around depot charging—like whether they need AC or DC—but where many still need help is in selecting the right supplier. “What’s the service model? Where are the spare parts stored? How long will it take to get someone onsite if something breaks?” These are the questions Lampard says fleet managers need to ask up front.
The industry has learned from its early mistakes. “Two years ago, some of the first-generation chargers were breaking down and people were waiting 16 to 26 weeks for parts. That’s not acceptable. Now, software platforms and operators are demanding higher standards from their suppliers.”
Lampard also raised an emerging concern: technology compatibility. “A lot of chargers out in the field don’t support the new OCPP 2.0.1 protocol. It offers better security and features, and we’re seeing the NSW Government mandate it in grants. Fleet buyers need to know whether their charger supports it—or if it will.”
Looking overseas, Lampard is keeping a close eye on developments in China, which he describes as “smashing through boundaries” in EV adoption. “There are more than 150 brands. The pace of innovation is incredible.”
One trend he’s less convinced about is ultra-high-powered flash charging. “Some manufacturers are building chargers that can deliver over a megawatt using internal batteries. It sounds impressive, but I think it’s more about marketing than practical benefits. For fleets, reliability and cost matter more than headline charging speeds.”
Lampard’s key message to fleet buyers is simple: treat EV chargers like any other critical infrastructure. “You wouldn’t buy a truck or ute without knowing how it’s supported. Charging gear is no different. Price matters—but service, support, and future compatibility matter more.”
To hear the full conversation, listen to the Fleet News Group podcast—available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
