Transport is a major cog in every cleaning operation, but it’s also one of the sector’s heaviest polluters. In 2022, transport was responsible for 20 percent of Australia’s total emissions, according to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. In New Zealand, road transport accounted for more than 90 percent of the transport sector’s 17 percent share of gross emissions.

As commercial fleets age and fuel costs keep shifting, more cleaning businesses are looking to electric vehicles (EVs) as a smarter, cleaner alternative – one that cuts emissions and improves operating margins in the process.

Momentum is growing

Globally, EV uptake is accelerating. In 2023, nearly 14 million electric cars were sold, pushing the worldwide EV fleet above 40 million, according to the International Energy Agency. In Australia, battery electric vehicles made up 7.2 percent of all new car sales in 2023, three times higher than in 2021. By early 2024, EV sales had already hit 114,000. Public charging stations are rising to meet demand, with more than 810 now online nationwide.

New Zealand’s EV market also remains strong, with EVs making up 17 percent of new car sales last year, even after the Clean Car Discount was phased out.

“There’s a perception that charging is a problem, but it’s rarely an issue in practice,” ISSA senior director Gavin Macgregor-Skinner says. “Most cleaning companies haven’t actually analysed their route data. When they do, they realise most EVs can comfortably cover a full day’s work on a single charge.”

While EVs can carry a higher price tag upfront, the total cost of ownership often tells a different story. “The real numbers come from lower fuel costs, less maintenance and government rebates or tax breaks,” Macgregor-Skinner says. “When you look at the long-term savings, the business case is strong.”

EVs also boost a company’s brand. “It’s a visible, credible way to show leadership on sustainability,” Macgregor-Skinner adds. “We’ve even seen companies launch their first electric vehicles with a public event or local dignitary to help build momentum and marketing value.”

Numbers that move the needle

The savings stack up fast. A petrol sedan that burns eight litres per 100 km costs around $5100 a year in fuel over 30,000 km. An EV doing the same distance of 18 kWh per 100 km would cost about $1500, assuming $0.30 per kWh electricity. That’s a $3600 difference per year, before factoring in the reduced maintenance from regenerative braking and fewer moving parts.

Go bigger, and the savings follow. A petrol van doing 40,000 km could cost more than $11,700 in fuel annually. An electric equivalent would cost just $3240, an annual savings of over $8500.

For cleaning businesses looking to sharpen their margins and future-proof their operations, switching to EVs is no longer just a green choice – it’s a strategic one.