What’s Next for Electric Commercial Utility Vehicles: The Road to Electric Vehicle Rollout

Australian business – especially business that is reliant on transportation at one crucial juncture along the supply chain – is facing many challenges. Costs of doing business are rising amid a general cost of living crisis and large to enterprise businesses are also now required to disclose climate-related financial transactions bringing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) to the forefront of Australian boardrooms and executive suites.

The culture around ESG and building a sustainable economy is slowly but surely forming in Australia. According to a 2024 Ipsos poll of 1,000 Australians, there is a net 42% support in the community for Australia’s energy transition away from fossil fuels toward renewables. To lead this change, also according to Ipsos, governments and large businesses must do more to influence the public through adopting solar over coal-fired power, electric vehicles (EVs) over internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, and using innovative, sustainable materials over traditional ones.

What is next for Commercial Utility Vehicles? What needs to be done to secure a sustainable EV future in the commercial and industrial market? What are the immediate and long-term benefits in adopting EVs early as opposed to being a late adopter?

Innovations Diffuse in S-Curves

According to innovations researcher Everett M. Rogers, innovations usually diffuse or spread out in S-curves. This means there is a slow but noticeable uptake in innovation to begin with (early adopters), a tipping point into mass adoption, then an easing off as fewer laggards remain to play catchup.

Rogers also says that innovations must be seen in the context of old ideas – that they must be familiar enough to people that they can grasp the benefits of any particular innovation. There must be a relative advantage (over ICE/petrol), compatible with existing values and past experiences, not be too complex to understand and be able to see or observe the results of the innovation. Opinion leaders and change agents can guide innovations to be adopted; though these “experts” and “boffins” may overplay their hand if their implementation is handled incorrectly.

According to Mordor Intelligence, the electric commercial (total, not just utility) market is estimated to be worth $3.87 billion, with an estimated compound annual growth rate of 26.28% by 2030. Compared to the wider transport, postal, and warehousing industry which posted operating profits before tax (2023-24) of $38.1 billion (ABS, 2025) this represents almost a 10% share of the entire industry, which indicates the transition has not only begun, but is in the early “mass adoption” phase.

This has been bolstered by investment into EV network infrastructure such as the Driving the Nation Fund, the DRIVEN charger rebate program to help dealers transition towards EVs, and EV Network initiative (more on that below.)

Attitudes towards the Net Zero Transition

Escalating concerns regarding air pollution, climate change, and increasing diesel prices have compelled transport authorities at both state and municipal levels across Australia to emphasise clean public transport options within their regional development strategies, which is leading to the adoption of EVs as an innovative solution to these overlapping challenges.

The National Electric Vehicle Strategy, which received over 500 submissions from 200 organisations and 1,500 individuals “made clear that improved cost, choice, availability of charging and accessibility for all are fundamental to a successful transition” (DCCEEW, 2023) Though EVs only comprise 3.8% of national car sales (compared to 15% in the United Kingdom) the government together with industry are establishing necessary resources and systems to enable rapid EV uptake, such as rolling out the $500 million Driving the Nation Fund and the National EV Charging Network, which will see 117 charging sites placed on major highways at an average distance interval of 150km and codifying standards around construction, data-sharing, and safety.

When it comes to sustainable business, consumers look favourably upon those who are committed to reducing their environmental impact. A recent survey Roy Morgan found that 60% of Australians believe that businesses should be doing more to address environmental issues and that 56% of consumers would pay a little more to accommodate businesses actively tackling climate change.

With all these factors in play, transitioning to Electric Utility Vehicles are not only a sustainable option but a profitable one for many industries.

Electric Utility Vehicles are Safe, Affordable, and Versatile

To facilitate the transition to a Net Zero-led sustainable economy, electric powered utility vehicles are quickly becoming adopted across a range of industries, replacing outdated, high-maintenance, and relatively less safe petrol- or diesel-powered variants.

Electric utility vehicles are being recognised as reliable and sustainable solutions across a diverse range of applications, including industrial operations, facilities management, waste management, facility maintenance, resorts and events, logistics and transportation, and even personal transport. These versatile electric vehicles are contributing significantly to reducing environmental impact while ensuring efficient and dependable service across logistics, industry, commercial spaces, and outdoor operations.

Electric Utility Vehicles require fewer maintenance than ICE or diesel-powered equivalents, can be multi-use (towing, transport, and cargo hauling), eliminate risky manual handling and increase OH&S standards, and are cheaper to run than ICE/diesel utility vehicles.

Sitecraft offers a comprehensive range of electric commercial and industrial vehicles for a wide range of industries and applications. This includes the Motrec range of heavy-duty electric industrial vehicles and tuggers. The Movexx range of electric pedestrian tugs are widely used in industry, healthcare and logistics. The popular Turfman range of electric utility vehicles are used in mining, recreation and facilities maintenance.

Sitecraft can also customise any electric vehicle to your specific industry, ensuring we deliver solutions to meet your current operational requirements.

With over a quarter-century of material handling equipment and providing Australian businesses with quality solutions and exceptional service, trust Sitecraft to lead your innovative transition towards a sustainable, Net Zero operation. Ask us for expert recommendations and reliable advice.