By Marc Sibbald – Director IPWEA FLEET
Time of reflection
Well, it’s that time of the year. A time when our thoughts turn to holidays and fun in the sun. A time to spend with family and reflect on our achievements over the last 12 months. As Fleet Managers, you should a draw line at the end of 2022 to reset your expectations and fleet strategy because 2023 will mark the new phase of an electrified post-COVID world.
This does not mean your fleet will become electric in 2023. That reality is still several years away though the seeds have been planted and many green shoots are starting to appear in terms of charging infrastructure, government financial support, and vehicle supply. A new paradigm has emerged in 2022 which will facilitate the transition to zero emission transport and fleets are the gateway to reduce global carbon emissions.
The most significant change that will be felt immediately as you return from your summer break is the FBT exemption for EVs and PHEVs. The Electric Car Discount bill was passed in November by the Federal Government, and it will change the Whole of Life Cost calculations for electric vehicles. Several IPWEA Fleet Subscribers were preparing for this change to the FBT laws and advised that it would make EVs more attractive as a staff benefit (or leaseback) vehicle.
While all the attention is on electric vehicles, it’s important not to forget about the fundamentals of fleet management. Regardless of the powertrain, fleet assets still need to be managed effectively and efficiently to deliver the best Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) for your organisation. This requires a focus on best practice fleet management using tools like the IPWEA Fleet Plant and Vehicle Management Manual (PVMM) and benchmarking your fleet against similar fleets.
It was a busy year in 2022 for IPWEA Fleet with over 140 people completing the IPWEA Fleet Management Certificate across the two semesters. The engagement from students was high and there was a mix of skills and experience in both cohorts. There was also a return to face-to-face workshops with more than 100 people attending the events in six locations around Australia to reconnect and network with their fleet community. Next year will be even more exciting with new things being planned for IPWEA Fleet Subscribers.
On behalf of the team at IPWEA Fleet, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful and joyous holiday season. Keep yourself, your family, colleagues, and your fleet drivers safe. I look forward to seeing everyone at the 2023 IPWEA Australasian Fleet Conference in Brisbane during March.