Businesses across the Hunter are being encouraged to explore the financial and environmental benefits of electric vehicles (EVs), with a free workshop offering practical advice on choosing vehicles, managing costs and installing charging infrastructure.
Hosted by City of Newcastle and Hunter Water on Tuesday 24 November, Making electric vehicles work for your business will draw on the two organisations’ experiences of fleet electrification to help other businesses assess whether electric vehicles could suit their operations.
The workshop comes as EV adoption continues to grow across NSW. According to the NSW Government, more than 155,000 electric vehicles were registered in the state by September 2026.
National figures from the Electric Vehicle Council show that battery electric vehicles accounted for 24.9 per cent of new-car sales in September, with a further 9.6 per cent coming from plug-in hybrids. Combined sales of these vehicles reached 36,359 for the month, an increase of 119 per cent compared with September 2025.
While much of the attention around EV adoption has focused on private motorists, businesses operating passenger vehicles, delivery vans, utes and trucks also have opportunities to reduce fuel and maintenance expenses.
The NSW Government estimates that an average fleet driver could save approximately $3,100 in annual vehicle running costs by switching to an EV, although actual savings depend on vehicle use, electricity prices and charging arrangements.
Hunter businesses making the transition
Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) is among the local organisations already electrifying its vehicle fleet.
Following a trial of an electric SUV in the 2022 financial year, NCIG purchased seven additional electric SUVs, bringing its operational EV fleet to eight vehicles.
The company has also installed three fast chargers at its site, including one in its employee car park that can be used to charge privately owned electric vehicles at a discounted rate.
NCIG is working towards fully electrifying its operational vehicle fleet by 2030 as part of its broader emissions reduction program.
For other Hunter businesses, the suitability of EVs will depend on factors including daily travel distances, vehicle availability, payload requirements and access to charging infrastructure.
The Newcastle workshop will examine how businesses can use fleet utilisation data and travel patterns to identify suitable vehicles. Participants will also be guided through a fleet cost calculator to compare purchase, fuel, maintenance and other expenses over a vehicle’s operating life.
Charging options at workplaces, depots and employees’ homes will also be discussed, alongside lessons from City of Newcastle’s and Hunter Water’s fleet transition experiences.
Financial assistance for fleet electrification
The NSW Government’s EV Fleets Incentive provides financial assistance to eligible businesses and organisations purchasing battery electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
Its kick-start funding option is designed for smaller fleets or organisations trialling EVs, while competitive bid funding supports larger fleet transitions.
Under the kick-start program, eligible passenger vehicles and SUVs can receive $5,000 in assistance, with higher amounts available for some commercial vehicles. Eligible smart charging infrastructure can also receive funding.
The kick-start funding period has been extended to 30 November 2026, although the NSW Government advises that the current $9 million allocation has been committed and a waitlist is in place.
Eligible businesses providing electric cars to employees may also benefit from the Australian Government’s fringe benefits tax exemption, subject to the relevant vehicle and employment conditions.
Local organisations sharing their experience
The workshop is being delivered as a project of the Newcastle Climate Collaborative, bringing together City of Newcastle and Hunter Water to share practical experience with local businesses.
City of Newcastle’s Climate Action Plan 2026–2030 identifies the Newcastle Climate Action Collaborative as a council-hosted initiative intended to bring major emitters, stakeholders and community groups together to share knowledge, develop partnerships and support the city’s transition towards net zero emissions by 2040.
Fleet electrification forms part of the council’s own emissions reduction plans, which include transitioning vehicles, plant and equipment to electric or lower-emission alternatives.
The workshop is open to small business owners, fleet and asset managers, procurement teams, sustainability professionals and anyone using vehicles in a commercial setting.
Making electric vehicles work for your business will be held on Tuesday 24 November 2026, from 1.30 pm to 3 pm, at City of Newcastle’s administration building, 12 Stewart Avenue, Newcastle West. Participants can also attend online via Microsoft Teams.
Attendance is free, but registration is required.
