Fleet News Group

A telematics system will not make your fleet safe. Andrew Hutson has spent 25 years in theindustry, and he says the fleets that actually improve are the ones where the executive ownssafety, not the ones with the best kit.In this episode:- Why safety has to be endorsed at executive level rather than owned by one department, and how the Awards judges reached the same conclusion reading the nominations.- Why data only counts when it is accurate and actionable, and why a driver covering 50km a week cannot be fairly compared to one covering a thousand until the data is normalised.- Why sustainability starts with how a fleet operates rather than what it buys, and how route optimisation cuts vehicles, congestion and idling before a single EV is ordered.(0:00) Intro(1:32) Why Geosecure backed the Awards(2:54) What Geosecure does(3:57) How telematics changed in a decade(5:18) The award categories(5:57) What a genuinely safe fleet looks like(7:19) What the judges saw in the nominations(7:46) Where local government fleets are constrained(9:01) Fleet Technology: data you can act on(10:29) Data for something, not for its own sake(12:33) Fleet Sustainability: more than EVs(14:19) A finalist that changed its operations(15:23) Fleet of the Year: doing everything right(17:00) Why strategy is what wins(18:19) Awards night and how to voteAndrew Hutson is a Director at Geosecure, a telematics and fleet management safety provider. Hehas worked in telematics across the UK, North America and Australia. Your host is Marc Sibbald,Editor at Fleet News Group.Voting for the 2026 Fleet News Group Awards is open now at fleetnewsgroup.com.au. Awards night is14 October.Subscribe to Fleet News Group: https://bit.ly/fleet-news-subscribeGeosecure is a Foundation Sponsor of the 2026 Fleet News Group Awards. This episode includesdiscussion of Geosecure's business and its Awards sponsorship.

Fleet managers can only act on maintenance risk they can see. Eden Shirley explains how digital servicing workflows and AI can expose overdue vehicles earlier and reduce the administrative chase.In this episode:- how connected bookings, work orders, approvals and payments improve maintenance visibility;- why Eden says that, in his experience, roughly 30% of vehicles may be overdue for service; and- why safety and process innovation must remain the fleet manager's North Star.(0:00) Intro (0:05) Welcome and meet Eden Shirley (0:58) What FleetGuru does (2:26) Digitising approvals with AI (4:04) Online servicing and connected vehicles (5:03) Automating service reminders (6:12) The overdue-service visibility gap (6:28) Safety as the North Star (8:01) Why FleetGuru backs the Awards (10:16) Why the Awards need breadth (12:48) Peer recognition and industry voting (15:33) Suppliers and process innovation (17:03) Building the Awards program (17:36) Why fleet moves the country (19:55) Suppliers, manufacturers and fleet growth (20:58) Closing thoughts (22:35) Awards information and wrap-upListen for a practical look at online servicing, quote scrutiny, real-time maintenance oversight and the human decisions that still sit behind good fleet outcomes.Learn more about the 2026 Fleet News Group Awards:https://fleetnewsgroup.com.au/fleet-news-group-awards/Subscribe to Fleet News Group: https://bit.ly/fleet-news-subscribeFleetGuru.ai is a Foundation Sponsor of the 2026 Fleet News Group Awards. This episode includes discussion of FleetGuru's platform and its Awards sponsorship.

Hino's Australian boss thinks the country is chasing the wrong emissions fix. Richard Emery sat down with Marc Sibbald in the cab of a 700 Series tipper and made the case that electric trucks are a 2029 to 2030 story here, and that waiting for them is costing the industry easier wins now.In this episode:- Why Hino puts electric trucks at 2029 to 2030 for Australia, and why Richard calls the federal focus tunnel vision towards electric- The average Australian truck is roughly 14 years old. Getting that towards 10 would cut emissions and crashes sooner- Hino's Bathurst run put hybrid more than 20% ahead of diesel on fuel, and about 30% with a driver trained to the truck(0:00) Intro(0:20) Driving a truck again after 20 years(4:13) The 700 Series problem Hino had to fix(6:25) A bigger range, and orders tripling(8:55) The 12-speed automated manual(13:53) Ten years with Supercars(15:04) Bathurst: hybrid against diesel(17:24) Fuel prices and the hybrid surge(18:41) Why there is no 700 Series hybrid(22:55) Electric trucks and hydrogen(24:44) Why Hino says 2029 to 2030(26:23) Australia's 14-year-old truck fleet(27:21) Not just tunnel vision towards electric(29:02) Hino Connect and telematics(31:02) The Archion tie-up with Fuso(34:03) The 2026 truck market(36:45) Safety systems you actually notice(41:18) Trucks are not going anywhereRecorded in a moving truck, so you get road noise and a proper conversation rather than a studio set piece.Fleet News Group covers the Australian fleet industry across Fleet Auto News, Fleet EV News and Fleet HV News.Mentioned in this episode:- Hino's hybrid against diesel at Bathurst. This is the test Richard talks through, and the charts we put on screen around the sixteen minute mark: https://youtu.be/1MQIgHF4t-U- Driving the Hino Hybrid Electric 300 Series, Marc's own road test: https://fleethvnews.com.au/test-drive-hino-hybrid-electric/- Hino hybrids in council operations: https://fleethvnews.com.au/hino-electric-hybrid-trucks-deliver-real-world-results-for-council-operations/Subscribe to Fleet News Group: https://bit.ly/4w63LWOFilmed at Hino's 700 Series drive event. Hino provided the vehicle and location. Fleet News Group retained full editorial control.

Fleet reports that took half an hour of dashboard work now take two minutes. Darren Gore, General Manager of Summit Fleet Leasing and Management, explains how Fleet AI Insights answers whole-of-fleet questions in plain language—and why the fleet manager remains the expert directing and checking the AI. In this episode: - How five fleet questions became useful answers in minutes - Why the human still directs and checks every AI result - Why technology decisions should start with the operational problem (0:00) Intro (1:32) Meet Summit Fleet: 30 years, 1.1 million vehicles across APAC (3:43) Why Summit sponsors the Awards (5:18) Fleet AI Insights: three years in the making (8:17) The demo: half an hour of BI answered in two minutes (10:57) The fleet manager is not being replaced (12:54) What wins a Fleet Technology Award: start with the problem (17:58) Awards voting and the October awards night (19:13) Wrap-up: don't let a good fleet story go untold Summit Fleet is a Foundation Sponsor of the Fleet News Group Awards. Voting opens in August and the Awards Night is on 14 October 2026. See the categories and register your interest: https://fleetnewsgroup.com.au/fleet-news-group-awards/ Stay up to date with ALL THINGS FLEET, Fleet Auto News, Fleet EV News and Fleet HV News: https://bit.ly/4aOSAde

Most fleets cannot see what they really spend on repairs. Shaun Janks, Co-Founder of DingGo, explains how digitising accident management reveals the true cost of repairs—and how benchmarking long-standing repairers cut one fleet's costs by around 20% almost instantly. In this episode: - Why repair costs disappear across emails, invoices and insurer data - How a reliable baseline makes repairer benchmarking possible - Why competitive tension can reduce costs without abandoning trusted repairers (0:00) Intro (1:18) Meet DingGo: digital accident management (2:47) From handkerchief quotes to one digital platform (5:15) Most fleets don't know their true repair costs (6:49) Testing the market: the instant 20% saving (8:16) Benchmarks, insurers and days off road (10:39) Why DingGo sponsors the Awards (12:38) Industry voting and the October awards night (13:45) Wrap-up: talk to DingGo, vote for the finalists DingGo is a Foundation Sponsor of the Fleet News Group Awards. Vote for the finalists at fleetnewsgroup.com.au. Stay up to date with ALL THINGS FLEET, Fleet Auto News, Fleet EV News and Fleet HV News: https://bit.ly/4fevf6f

In this episode of the Fleet News Group Podcast , we talk with Louise Azzopardi — life coach, mentor, keynote speaker, and industry ambassador — about how fleet workshops can attract, train, and retain the next generation of mechanics and technicians. Louise shares her remarkable journey from a 15-year-old apprentice at Cummins South Pacific to becoming the first female Gold Medallist in the Australian National Heavy Vehicle competition and representing Australia with the Skillaroos. She now helps organisations build better workplace cultures and gives practical advice for fleet managers: Using work experience to find talent early Creating a shame-free learning environment Training leaders to teach, not just supervise Embracing diversity as a strength It’s an inspiring and practical conversation for anyone managing workshops or apprentices. Stay up to date with ALL THINGS FLEET , Fleet Auto News , Fleet EV News , and Fleet HV News . #FleetManagement #Workshops #Apprenticeships #Diversity #Training #Leadership

In this episode of the Fleet News Group podcast, we sit down with Joe Sofra, CEO of ANC Delivers, to explore the company’s bold journey to electrify last mile deliveries. With a history stretching back over 100 years — from delivering theatre tickets on bicycles to powering today’s e-commerce giants like Bunnings, IKEA, JB Hi-Fi, and Telstra — ANC has built its reputation on innovation and customer experience. Joe reflects on the landmark 2019 partnership with IKEA that committed to 100% zero-emission home deliveries by 2025, a move that pushed ANC to the forefront of sustainability in logistics. He candidly shares the challenges of starting with first-generation EVs, the learning curve of range anxiety, charging solutions, and engaging contractor drivers in the transition. By World EV Day 2025, ANC reached a major milestone: more than 100 electric vehicles on the road. Joe explains how this achievement has deepened relationships with partners and delivery professionals, while also transforming the customer experience — from quieter streets to greener driveways. Looking ahead, ANC is targeting 300+ EVs by 2028 and is rethinking efficiency with a “carbon cost per order” approach, aiming to do more with fewer vehicles. For Joe, the mission is clear: electric vehicles are not just viable for metro last mile deliveries — they’re the future. This conversation highlights ANC’s role as a pioneer of zero-emission logistics and its commitment to creating lasting smiles for customers while cutting carbon emissions.

In this episode of the Fleet News Group podcast, we’re joined by New Zealand rally champion and road safety advocate Hayden Paddon. From grassroots motorsport to standing atop a WRC podium, Hayden shares lessons from a career built on goal setting, strategy, and managing risk under pressure. We unpack how those same principles apply to fleet operations—whether it’s building a culture of calm and competent driving, introducing practical driver training, or rethinking how we prepare drivers for life on busy roads. Hayden also discusses his latest initiative to bring motorsport-based driver education to young Kiwis and why the vehicle should be treated as a workplace. Whether you're managing five vehicles or five thousand, this conversation is packed with insights to help you influence safer driving behaviours across your organisation.

In this episode of the Fleet News Group Podcast , we sit down with Scott Maynard, Managing Director of Polestar Australia, to unpack his first year in the role and how the brand is staying true to its sustainability roots while scaling up. Scott shares insights on Polestar’s changing sales model, its role in backing the NVES policy during a contentious election campaign, and how the local market has responded to the launch of Polestar 3 and the high-performance, low-emission Polestar 4 – now the brand’s best-selling model. We also explore: How novated leasing has accelerated EV adoption, now accounting for 60% of Polestar’s orders Why Polestar believes "we don't have a sustainability strategy, we have a sustainable business strategy" The future of bi-directional charging with Polestar 3 and V2G tech Local testing of the upcoming Polestar 5 and the anticipated arrival of Polestar 7, a compact SUV built for Australia’s most popular vehicle segment The road ahead for EV adoption in Australia and what it will take to reach critical mass As Scott puts it, “Some myths were never true, and others are long gone – the tech has moved on, and so have we.”

In this episode of the Fleet News Group podcast, we sit down with Andy Graham from Evolve Fleet to unpack the evolution of fleet management technology — from magnetic tapes and Access databases in the 1990s, to integrated enterprise platforms, AI-driven insights, and real-time vehicle monitoring in 2025. With over three decades in the industry — including leadership roles at Custom Fleet, SG Fleet and Splend — Andy shares candid stories about the early days of compliance without email, the challenges of system integration, and the cultural shift needed to make the most of today's connected tech. "People think fleet is just putting vehicles on the road – but the complexity is enormous," he says. We also dive into emerging trends including EV infrastructure, subscription mobility, and how Evolve Fleet is automating high-friction processes across more than a million vehicles. Follow, share and listen now on Spotify.

In an exclusive Fleet News Group podcast, Thom Drew, Country Director (Motors) for Tesla Australia & New Zealand, shared insights on the refreshed Model Y, Tesla’s strong performance in novated leasing, and the brand’s growing fleet focus. Drew highlighted Tesla’s unrivalled Supercharger network, low total cost of ownership, and impressive battery longevity. He also discussed new tools like Tesla for Business and improvements in parts supply and servicing to support fleet operators. With the Model Y now Australia’s most fit-for-purpose EV SUV, Drew made a compelling case for why fleet managers should seriously consider Tesla in 2025 and beyond.

🎧 Live from the Brisbane Truck Show! Glen Dyer, Managing Director at IVECO Australia, joins the Fleet News Group podcast to talk about their full truck line-up, the Euro 6 focus, and what’s next for alternative fuels like CNG, electric and hydrogen. Hear how IVECO is shifting gears in 2025 to focus on customers and reliability.

In this episode of the Fleet News Group podcast, we sit down with Mark Lampard, Managing Director at go EV, to explore the future of EV charging for Australian fleets. Mark shares insights on the challenges of public vs depot charging, why reliable service and spare parts matter more than ever, and the risks of outdated hardware. He also gives us a look into the latest innovations coming out of China and what’s next for go EV as they shift from hardware supplier to full-service solutions provider. A must-listen for fleet managers navigating the electric transition. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

In this episode of the Fleet News Group Podcast , we speak with Mark Gjerek, Founder and Director of MOV3MENT, about how Australia can accelerate the decarbonisation of transport—without relying solely on electric vehicles. Mark shares practical, low-cost strategies fleets can implement today, from driver training to tyre choices, and explains why collaboration between government, industry and operators is essential. “Electrification isn’t the only path,” says Gjerek. “In fact, it’s often the most expensive way to decarbonise.” Tune in to hear why fuel efficiency, data insights and renewable diesel all play a critical role—and why fleet managers need to start planning now to hit 2030 targets.

In this episode of the Fleet News Group podcast, we sit down with Simon Humphries, Head of Product Management and Chief Engineer for Commercial Vehicles at Isuzu Trucks Australia. With 2025 marking the biggest overhaul of the Isuzu truck range in nearly two decades, Simon explains why this is a landmark year—from meeting new Australian Design Rules to launching advanced safety and drivability tech that makes these trucks more “car-like” than ever. If you’re in fleet, logistics, or just curious about the future of commercial transport, this deep dive into Isuzu’s all-new range is packed with insights, history, and a few surprises. Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.

In 2025, fleet managers are finally realising the benefits of a truly digitised maintenance approval system—and Eden Shirley, CEO of AutoGuru, is leading the charge. Eden explains how AutoGuru’s FleetGuru platform is delivering major time and cost savings, improving supplier relationships, and providing unprecedented control over the repair and maintenance process. “We’ve brought in huge savings and efficiencies for both parties—the fleet manager and the service provider,” Eden said. “It’s a real win–win.”

Discussing the global EV market, Ceaser pointed to British Columbia, Canada, as one of the strongest regions for EV adoption. “It’s a wealthy, environmentally conscious area with a strong tech sector, and EVs have done really well there,” he said. However, he acknowledged concerns about how U.S. policy changes could impact Canada, particularly with potential tariffs affecting supply chains. On the topic of the U.S., Ceaser warned that political uncertainty could slow EV adoption but wouldn’t halt it entirely. “Even when Trump was in office last time, state governments, cities, and corporations took the lead in pushing forward EV initiatives. That will likely continue, even if the national sentiment shifts,” he explained. Ceaser summed it up with a memorable phrase: “Elections and electrons don’t mix.” He explained that while many politicians support EVs, others seek to weaponise the issue, creating unnecessary division. Ultimately, he argued, the numbers speak for themselves—EVs are simply a better financial and technological choice.

Vero Insurance is making lower-emission vehicle ownership easier for businesses, thanks to an enhanced Motor Fleet Insurance offering that also caters to EVs. Vero is aiming to offer coverage that helps to facilitate its customers to focus on sustainability. “Our organisation has a strategy to reduce our operational emissions, and off the back of this we wanted to encourage our customers to also reduce their impact,” said Vero’s Portfolio Manager – Commercial Fleet and Engineering, Richard Sandow.

The electrification of vehicle fleets is a significant step in the transition towards a more sustainable future. For Ausgrid, Australia’s largest electricity distributor on the East Coast, this shift is more than just an environmental initiative—it’s a strategic move towards operational efficiency and future-proofing their business. In this episode of the Fleet News Group podcast, Tim Kynoch, Fleet Engineering and Strategy Manager at Ausgrid, shared insights into the company’s journey towards fleet electrification, the challenges they’ve encountered, and their roadmap for the future.

In the first episode of Fleet News Group’s 2025 podcast season, host Marc Sibbald sits down with Barry Saad, Founder and CEO of TRUCK TECH, and Dr. Jana Matthews, the company’s newly appointed Chief Growth and Development Officer. The conversation delves into TRUCK TECH’s remarkable journey from a single service truck operation in 2007 to a multi-state heavy vehicle maintenance provider with over 120 technicians. Barry shares his passion for fleet safety and his mission to raise industry standards while offering career opportunities for young mechanics. Dr. Matthews, an expert in scaling businesses, explains why she joined TRUCK TECH and how the company’s commitment to safety, innovation, and strong values sets it apart. She highlights the structured approach TRUCK TECH has taken toward process improvement, team development, and national expansion. The discussion also explores the company’s early investment in electric vehicle maintenance, including a partnership with BYD and servicing over 300 electric buses and trucks. This forward-thinking approach positions TRUCK TECH as a leader in the independent heavy vehicle service sector. With a focus on safety, quality, and customer service, Truck Tech is not just expanding—it’s redefining the perception of mechanical trades. Barry and Dr. Matthews discuss the challenges and opportunities in growing a values-driven business while keeping up with industry shifts like electrification. Whether you’re a fleet manager, a mechanic, or someone interested in the future of heavy vehicle maintenance, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolution of an essential industry.