The EV revolution is here, and corporate fleets across New Zealand are feeling the shift. But what does it take for businesses to make the leap to electric? We sat down with Richard Heaps, CEO of Power Trip, a New Zealand-based EV fleet management software company, and Ruth Cabahug, Brand Manager & Designer, to talk about how they are helping Kiwi companies electrify through the power of fleet data.

EVs are becoming more important to New Zealand's sustainability efforts. Read on to learn about the benefits of going electric, the role of data in fleet sustainability, and how Power Trip is leading the charge.

New Zealand’s Adoption of EVs Uncovered

How Electrified is New Zealand's Fleet?

This graph shows the composition of New Zealand's fleet over the past 5 years sorted by fuel type.

Why Going Green Matters for Corporate Fleets in New Zealand

If you're managing a fleet in New Zealand, you've probably noticed the writing on the wall: the future is electric. And while making the switch can feel like a big leap, it's not just about being environmentally responsible; it's also about keeping costs down, running more efficiently, and getting ahead of the curve.

Climate change creates urgency for New Zealand businesses

Kiwis love being clean and green. However, transport emissions are a massive contributor to climate change, making up nearly 20% of New Zealand's greenhouse gases. Corporate fleets play a big part in that, and transitioning to EVs is a key way to change the game.

As Richard puts it: "Achieving your sustainability goals in your fleet means going electric as much as possible, and data gets you there faster."

And it's happening. The numbers prove it. Between 2019 and 2023, the number of EVs in New Zealand's light vehicle fleet grew more than fivefold, from just over 14,000 to over 72,000. That's a huge leap forward, but plenty more must be done with petrol and diesel vehicles still dominating.

Sustainable fleets offer meaningful cost-savings

Let's not pretend sustainability is the only reason businesses are making the shift. Cost savings are a massive driver. As Richard explained,

"They're opening the door because of the sustainability reasons, but they're walking through it because of the cost savings."

New Zealand fleets should keep up with the future

The EV market is evolving fast, and New Zealand's fleet composition is shifting to reflect these advancements. Petrol vehicle numbers dropped by over 120,000 between 2019 and 2023, while hybrids and EVs surged. Businesses that hesitate may fall behind, not only in sustainability but also in efficiency and cost competitiveness.

The Role of Data in Fleet Sustainability: How Insights Drive Change

Going green sounds great on paper, but when you're managing a fleet, it's not always straightforward. Which vehicles should you swap out first? Will EVs actually meet your team's needs? How many chargers do you need, and where should they go?

These questions can make the transition daunting, but this is where data comes to the rescue. With the right insights, fleet managers can make smart, confident decisions that drive real change and save money.

Turning Numbers into Knowledge

Power Trip's Game Plan tool uses telematics data from existing vehicles, like where they're driven, how often they're used, and even their idle times, to create a detailed picture of fleet performance. Then, it simulates what the fleet would look like if it were fully electric.

Richard explained it best: "Most fleet platforms let you look at a single car's driving patterns for a single day. That's helpful, but it doesn't give you the big picture. What we do is analyse entire fleets over longer periods, breaking the data down into insights that help companies make decisions."

Busting Myths and Building Confidence with Data

For many fleet managers, the biggest barrier to electrification isn't cost; it's doubt. Drivers worry about running out of charge, not having enough power for long trips, or being unfamiliar with EVs. Ruth shared, "A lot of people were hesitant about EVs because they didn't feel confident driving them. They trusted the vehicles they knew, even when the data showed that EVs would meet their needs."

Richard expanded on the effect of misinformation on EV adoption, "There's a lot of misinformation about electric vehicles, but with data, you can overcome those objections easily. You can stop relying on what people say on the internet and start making decisions based on your own fleet's reality."

Power Trip's simulations combat this by showing exactly how EVs will perform based on real-world driving patterns, even factoring in variables like weather and terrain. Richard gave an example: "We had a driver who claimed they couldn't use an EV because they drove from Cape Reinga to Bluff every week. When we looked at the data, it turned out they didn't even leave their region. By showing them the numbers, we helped them see an EV was more than capable."

For fleet managers, this kind of clarity is priceless. It's one thing to tell your team that EVs will work; it's another to prove it with data they can trust.

Data as a Sustainability Accelerator

At its core, data helps fleets move faster toward sustainability. It's not just about electrifying vehicles; it's about doing it strategically. Power Trip's tools can identify:

Which vehicles should be replaced first: Which ones are guzzling the most fuel or costing the most maintenance?
Optimal charging strategies: Where would install chargers deliver maximum convenience and efficiency?
Fleet right-sizing opportunities: Are some vehicles sitting idle while others are overworked?

Richard summed it up neatly: "Data gets you there faster. It makes the transition smoother, more cost-effective, and easier for everyone involved."

A Holistic Approach to Change

Fleet data and platforms like Power Trip aren’t just about the numbers. Ruth shared how Power Trip's tools help fleet managers navigate the human side of the transition: "We don't just give people data; we empower them to take control of it. That means providing ongoing support for drivers, showing them how to plan trips, find chargers, and make EVs a seamless part of their lives."

Data isn't just a tool for decision-making; it's a catalyst for change. By harnessing the power of insights, Kiwi companies can take the guesswork out of fleet sustainability and leap ahead with confidence. And the best part? With tools like Power Trip's Game Plan, going green doesn't just make sense; it makes dollars, too.

Partnering with AutoFlip for Smarter Fleet Transitions

Another key piece of the EV fleet puzzle is what happens to obsolete vehicles. Enter AutoFlip. Power Trip's partnership with AutoFlip is helping businesses optimise their fleet transitions by turning outgoing vehicles into extra cash.

Here's how it works: Power Trip uses its data tools to identify underused fleet vehicles. Then, through AutoFlip, those vehicles are quickly listed for sale, connecting them with the right buyers and maximising resale value.

"Working with AutoFlip was a natural fit," Richard said. "We're helping fleets transition to EVs, which often means freeing up vehicles for resale. AutoFlip makes it easy to get a better price and direct those vehicles to the right buyers."

Driving New Zealand’s Fleet Forward

The journey to electrifying corporate fleets might seem daunting, but with tools like Power Trip’s Game Plan and partnerships like AutoFlip, it’s never been more achievable or beneficial. As Heaps aptly put it, “(Fleet) Data gets you there faster. It makes the transition smoother, more cost-effective, and easier for everyone involved.”

For Kiwi companies, the future of fleet management is clear: greener, smarter, and powered by data. The question isn’t if you’ll make the switch; it’s when.

For more insights into the Automotive industry and Kiwi drivers, check out some of our other blogs: