For many Fleet Managers, the idea of switching to electric vehicles (EVs) still raises concerns. Will repairs be too hard? Will drivers panic about fire risk? What happens to the battery when the vehicle is retired?
But these concerns don’t match today’s reality.
In the latest Changing Gears report, NRMA Insurance and the IAG Research Centre set out to understand what’s holding consumers – and by extension, employees – back from embracing EVs. What they found is directly relevant to fleet operations. It’s not that EVs don’t work – it’s that the information gap is fuelling resistance.
As Shawn Ticehurst, Head of the IAG Research Centre, explains:
“The big thing that keeps standing out here is people want to make sustainable transport choices. A lot of people are just lacking information about EVs.”
Repair Networks Are Already Here – and Growing
One of the most common myths is that EVs are harder to repair. But Ticehurst says NRMA Insurance is already well advanced in building a dedicated repair network to support EV panel damage – the most common type of incident in any fleet.
“We’re actively working on [the repair network] right now with our partner repairers,” says Ticehurst. “It’s about disarming and then rearming a battery so you can work on all your traditional stuff – bonnets, doors, bumpers. That whole process is about a 30-minute job.”
So, what’s the catch? There isn’t one – except the need to train repairers on basic safety procedures. And that’s already underway.
“It is an investment, but not that expensive,” he adds. “A trained repairer can then work away on those components.”
Battery Damage Isn’t a Fleet Risk
Some Fleet Managers worry that an EV with any battery damage becomes a write-off. But the data tells a different story.
“Total losses are tiny for us at the moment,” says Ticehurst. “The ones we’re looking at – they would have been total losses if they had been a petrol car. Big hits or flood damage – that has to be a total loss because that’s the law.”
So if your fleet is already operating safely, there’s no added risk from EV battery write-offs. In fact, NRMA Insurance’s experience suggests EVs are no more likely to be a loss than ICE vehicles.
Fire Risk is Wildly Exaggerated
“If you jump on YouTube, every EV fire that’s ever happened feels like it’s on there. But every petrol or diesel car fire definitely isn’t.”
That’s Ticehurst again, calling out the fire fearmongering that surrounds EVs. The Changing Gears report found that 69% of Australians worry about EV fires – even though only 10 incidents have been recorded in road-registered EVs in Australia.
“Our belief is a healthy EV being charged on correctly installed equipment – the risk is virtually zero,” he says.
This matches global data: EV FireSafe, a partner of NRMA Insurance, tracks lithium battery fires globally. Of more than 50 million EVs on the road, just 712 fires have been recorded. The risk of fire from petrol is higher – we just don’t talk about it the same way.
End-of-Life Sustainability is a Legit Concern – That’s Being Addressed
Drivers who choose EVs for environmental reasons want to know their car won’t become waste at the end of its life. NRMA Insurance understands this, and it’s why IAG (its parent company) is leading a battery recycling project with partners including Edith Cowan University, Standards Australia and EV FireSafe.
“People are saying, ‘I’m buying an EV to make a sustainable choice – but what happens at the end of the vehicle life?’” says Ticehurst. “Does the whole sustainability equation get unravelled if the battery doesn’t go on to be reused, repurposed, recycled?”
The answer? The systems are being built now – and your business can contribute to the solution by getting on board.
The Real Risk: Sitting Still
There’s one more issue that should concern Fleet Managers – the 38,000 unfilled automotive roles across Australia. That’s the current skills shortage identified in the report. EVs aren’t making it worse – they’re accelerating the need to modernise.
“We’ve got a skills shortage before we even throw EVs into the mix,” says Ticehurst. “But the training needed for basic EV repair is relatively simple.”
As the vehicle market shifts, waiting too long may leave your organisation with a fleet that’s outdated and unsupported.
Mechanics Are Trusted – And They’re On Board
The Changing Gears report also found that mechanics are one of the most trusted sources of information for EVs – second only to motoring associations.
“It’s making sure people get information – whether that’s through mechanics, insurers like us, or motoring organisations like NRMA,” says Ticehurst. “It’s a real shame when misinformation spreads online.”
Fleet Managers can leverage this insight. Bring in your maintenance provider, repair network, or OEM partner to speak to your team. An honest session with a trusted mechanic will do more to build confidence than a slick brochure ever could.
Final Word: Still Not Convinced?
Fleet Managers don’t need to rush head-first into full electrification. But standing still while waiting for “perfect EVs” or “better infrastructure” means falling behind.
The reality is this: EVs are safe, supportable, and suited to a wide range of use cases right now. Repair networks are here. Battery fears are overstated. And the transition is only going to gather pace.
The sooner you start trialling EVs in your fleet, the more control you’ll have over how the transition unfolds.
“People want to make sustainable transport choices,” Ticehurst says. “They just need the right information.”
And now you’ve got it.
