Momentum Collective switches to EVs
Community care provider Momentum Collective has rolled out electric vehicles and charging stations to reduce its carbon footprint and costs.
Regional community, mental health and disability care provider Momentum Collective has transitioned almost a quarter of its fleet to electric vehicles to improve its sustainability and bottom line.
The for-purpose community organisation has also installed 12 EV charging stations on their premises for staff to use as part of the initiative rolled out in partnership with Origin 360 EV.
Momentum Collective has 640 employees supporting clients across northern New South Wales locations including Tweed Heads, Grafton and Coffs Harbour. Its vehicle fleet is used by staff who are visiting clients in the providers properties and private homes, supporting client transport to appointments and activities and travelling between sites.
“We rely heavily on our fleet for day-to-day operations,” Momentum Collective chief financial officer Scott Loffler told Community Care Review.
“Whether it’s visiting clients in their homes or assisting with client and staff transportation, our mobility is crucial for providing quality client support.”
Following a trial of 10 EVs, Momentum Collective has expanded to 20 EVs, which is 22 per cent of its fleet.
“In addition to aligning with our sustainability objectives, we were also drawn to the cost benefits of EVs. This includes substantial savings through the Fringe Benefits Tax exemption for EVs, absence of fuel costs, and lower maintenance requirements,” Mr Loffler said.
He said Origin 360 EVs help navigating the right exceptions and tools to get started was a “game-changer” for the organisation while induction sessions with staff boosted the team’s confidence to use the new vehicles.
Origin 360 EV e-mobility lead David Helmy said Momentum Collective is among a growing number of Australian businesses committed to integrating environmental, social and governance, or ESG, initiatives into their daily operations. Taking the next step can sometimes be a challenge, he said.
“Transitioning vehicle fleets often sparks hesitation among businesses, primarily due to the uncertainty of where to begin,” Mr Helmy told CCR.
He said Origin 360 EV – which can support businesses looking to transition all or part of their vehicle fleets to electric – starts by assessing current and future fleet requirements and facilitating access to the appropriate government funding.
On a larger scale, Mr Helmy said the switch to EVs could play a pivotal role in lowering the health sector’s carbon output.
“With the healthcare sector contributing 7 per cent of the country’s overall carbon emissions, there is an opportunity for organisations in the sector to decrease their carbon output by making the switch from conventional [internal combustion engine] vehicles to EVs.”
Mr Loffler agrees. “I encourage all businesses who rely on their fleets to make the most of the incentives on offer and explore ways to reduce their carbon output so we can work toward a healthy, sustainable future.”
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