Australasian traffic management company Evolution Group plans to make its entire fleet of light utility vehicles (utes) fully electric within five years, with nearly one third of them – mostly the popular Toyota Hilux – to be converted to electric drivetrains.
The deal between Evolution and Dutch company Tembo, a specialist battery-electric and off-road vehicle company, will include a first phase of 80 traffic management vehicles, with the first to be delivered in 2023.
Evolution says this marks the first time in the world that a traffic management company has committed to fleet electrification and repowering.
“We have one of the largest fleet of vehicles for traffic management services across Australia and New Zealand and being the first to commit fully to electrification of our vehicles will help to set new eco-friendly standards for the industry,” says Kerry Daly, the chairman of Evolution.
Evolution specialises in traffic planning, traffic control, traffic management, training, equipment hire, fleet maintenance and management, and road corridor civil & bridge maintenance. The company has a specialised fleet of more than 500 vehicles for its traffic management and fleet management services.
Gary Challinor, chief operating officer of VivoPower. the parent company of Tembo, said it was a first of its kind deal for a utility vehicle fleet in Australia.
“We are looking forward to working closely with Evolution, not only to provide conversion EV powertrain kits, ruggedization and customization, but also importantly to deliver training and change management, as well as complimentary sustainable energy solutions.”
VivoPower also revealed that Tembo is currently in the process of evaluating the possibility of establishing assembly facilities in Australia. The plans are far enough advanced that Tembo’s preferences are for a South East Queensland factory location.
Despite sending out the press release, the company did not make itself available to answer further questions about the proposal, including costs and payback.