In 2019, Hutt City Council commissioned a fleet audit and optimisation study from Optifleet. This identified improvement opportunities for cost and carbon savings.

Key changes: switching from leasing to owned fleet, increasing pool vehicles, expanding micro-mobility, reducing take-home vehicles to save FBT, and electrification. Total potential saving: ~$400k over a 3-year term, even with EVs.

The council introduced an EV-first policy, centralised vehicle management, and changed the fleet make-up. The fleet reduced from 84 vehicles in 2018 to 65 in 2025, with 59 now electric.

• Fleet size reduced from 84 in 2019 to 65 vehicles in 2026 through consolidation and optimisation
• Carbon emissions dropped from ~250 tonnes per year to ~40 tonnes per year
• Cost savings estimated at over $100k per year — including avoided FBT, ownership model savings, and avoided vehicle purchases

Change can be difficult — whether technological (ICE to EVs) or personal (losing take-home vehicle benefits). Common pushback included:

• "It's my car"
• "Can't use EVs in an emergency"
• "A smaller car is unsafe"
• "My vehicle is my office"

All manageable with the right support and leadership.

• Original goal was 100% EV by 2030 — may achieve this as early as 2026
• Transition has been much faster than originally estimated
• Rolled out 30 charging stations across 5 sites

1. Vehicles: Think total cost of your fleet and go EV by default — it should be EV unless there is no other option.
2. Charging: Think big — invest in the amount of charging you need in five years, not just today.
3. People: Think leadership and don't underestimate resistance to change — you need champions.

• 4WD BEV utes — starting to happen but options still limited

• Policy settings that drive electrification, as opposed to just hoping for the best