Blacktown City Council increases electrified fleet to 43% in two years

Blacktown City Council has significantly accelerated its transition to electrified vehicles, increasing its electrified fleet from 5% to 43% in just two years. The fleet now includes a mix of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric vehicles.

The council’s strategy focused on involving operational teams and drivers through trials and test drives to ensure technology met daily work requirements. Rather than applying electrification universally, the council uses telematics and duty-cycle data to determine whether an electric, hybrid, or conventional diesel vehicle is most appropriate for a specific task.

Early financial results indicate substantial savings in energy costs. For example, one diesel light vehicle incurred approximately $20,000 in fuel costs over a specific period, whereas its electric equivalent cost between $4,000 and $5,000 in electricity.