JET Charge leads IAG’s fleet electrification with ARENA-backed program

86
Image supplied.

JET Charge has partnered with Australia’s largest general insurer, IAG, to help transition its fleet of around 650 fossil-fuel-powered vehicles to electric or hybrid models under a $12 million government program. 

This initiative is part of a broader effort by businesses to meet Net Zero goals, with JET Charge spearheading the fleet transition project through a program subsidised by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the company said in a news release.  

As a leading service provider for electric vehicle (EV) fleet transitions in Australia, JET Charge has completed over 12,000 charging deployments across the country at workplaces and employee homes.

Tim Washington, CEO and co-founder of JET Charge, emphasised the importance of their comprehensive solution. 

“Our end-to-end charging as a service (CaaS) solution tackles the operational complexities for companies that want to decarbonise. We want to unlock fleet electrification at scale, and by installing, monitoring, and maintaining all charging infrastructure between workplaces and employees’ homes, we’re removing a huge amount of legwork in all stages of the transition.”

According to JET Charge, IAG has made this transition a priority in its strategy to become a net zero insurer by 2050. 

One of the key ways the company is reducing its scope 1 emissions is by transitioning its tool of trade fleet to electric and hybrid electric vehicles. 

IAG’s head of Sustainability, Lee McDougall, stated, “We know that to better support our customers and the communities we serve, we must continue to identify, understand, and manage our own climate risk. We’ve set a target to transition our tool of trade fleet to electric and hybrid electric vehicles by the end of FY30, and are delighted to have JET Charge assisting with this transition.”

IAG previously ran a 12-month EV pilot program involving employees in rural and metropolitan areas, which confirmed the feasibility of using EVs for frontline drivers. 

JET Charge hopes other major Australian companies will follow IAG’s example and adopt EV fleets.

A government subsidy offers JET Charge’s charging as a service solution at a 30 per cent discount for early adopters of fleet electrification, helping to remove barriers like high upfront costs and the complexity of operating charging infrastructure. 

By installing domestic chargers in employee homes, JET Charge ensures a practical and convenient charging solution that supports both business and personal vehicle usage.

“This is the beginning of fleet electrification at scale,” said Washington. “By helping employees adopt EVs in the process of corporate fleet transitions, we can significantly reduce Australia’s vehicle emissions.” 

JET Charge said it aims to install over 3,000 chargers across workplaces and employee homes under the ARENA-subsidised program.