How Allianz is removing the barriers to fleet electrification
Allianz Australia is working towards an ambitious goal: transitioning its fleet to battery electric vehicles by 2030.
Achieving that target involves more than purchasing electric cars. Allianz is building a coordinated program around vehicle selection, charging, employee support, utilisation, telematics and real-world testing.
With approximately 224 vehicles operating across the business, including vehicles used by claims teams responding to natural disasters, Allianz must balance its sustainability commitments with demanding operational requirements.
Its approach recognises that people will only embrace electric vehicles when the technology works for their role and practical obstacles have been addressed.
Why vote for Allianz?
Allianz Australia is demonstrating how a large organisation can turn a global sustainability commitment into a practical fleet transition program.
It has combined executive accountability, utilisation reviews, careful vehicle evaluation, employee support, charging innovation and real-world trials. The company is also confronting the difficult parts of electrification rather than limiting the program to the easiest vehicles.
Sustainability linked to the business
Sustainability is closely connected to Allianz’s role as an insurer. Severe weather and other extreme events can increase insurance claims, creating a direct relationship between increasing climate-related risks and the company’s operations.
The fleet transition is therefore part of a wider organisational strategy rather than an isolated procurement initiative.
Progress toward our sustainability targets is reported at six-month and 12-month intervals, while sustainability performance is connected to senior executive responsibilities and key performance indicators.
Allianz has committed to the global EV100 program, with the Australian business targeting an electric fleet by 2030. After an initial pilot of 12 electric vehicles in 2024, another 29 vehicles were introduced as the program expanded in 2025 and 2026.
The business initially planned for 20% of the fleet to be electric in 2026. Uptake and momentum have surpassed expectations and the target has now been raised to 41% by year end.
Finding the right vehicles
Allianz undertook an extensive evaluation process rather than selecting an electric vehicle based solely on price or advertised range.
Around a dozen vehicles were considered, with factors including:
- real-world driving range
- battery capacity
- passenger and cargo space
- safety
- driver comfort
- dealer network support
- ethical and modern slavery considerations
- suitability for different Allianz business units.
The company tested several Kia models before selecting the EV5 as the primary passenger vehicle for its transition. The vehicle offered a balance of range, cabin space, safety and practicality for claims staff, assessors and teams carrying promotional or operational equipment.
However, Allianz recognises that one vehicle will not suit every application.
Light commercial vehicles remain one of the program’s most challenging areas. Claims and disaster-response teams are likely to travel into regions affected by cyclones, storms and other extreme events where electricity supplies and charging infrastructure may be disrupted. Business continuity for our response teams is of paramount importance to our customers.
Allianz is continuing to test available options, including electric utes and vans. Planned trials include evaluating an electric ute for our response team, towing watercraft for the Club Marine business, and assessing new electric vans under loaded, real-world conditions.
Making charging easier
Charging is one of the most common barriers to electric vehicle adoption, particularly for employees living in apartments or properties where installation requires strata approval.
Allianz has developed several options to accommodate different circumstances.
Where possible, the company arranges the installation of a home charger for an employee receiving an electric tool-of-trade vehicle. Employees can also be reimbursed for eligible charging costs.
Drivers who cannot charge at home receive public charging cards. Allianz initially used a single network but identified the limitations of relying on one provider.
The company subsequently worked with Exploren to adapt its RFID charging technology into a corporate chargeback solution. This gives drivers access to another charging network while reducing the need to submit individual reimbursement claims.
The combination of home charging, public charging cards and expanded network access is intended to remove barriers to uptake from our employees. This allows Allianz to actively support the transition to a low carbon economy.
Using data to improve the fleet
Allianz continually reviews vehicle utilisation and recently reduced the fleet from approximately 248 to 224 vehicles.Vehicles that are not travelling sufficient kilometres may be removed rather than retained for an entire lease term. Alternatives such as motor vehicle allowances or expense reimbursement can be considered where these provide better value.
The company has also begun introducing telematics with its new electric vehicles. As more vehicles come online, the data will provide greater visibility of routes, kilometres travelled, vehicle performance and driver behaviour.
Allianz plans to use these insights, not only to identify risk, but also to recognise safe and efficient drivers.
Early reporting has already shown an encouraging trend: whilst kilometres travelled increased during one reporting period, the fleet emissions in that same period declined. Allianz attributes this to the growing proportion of battery electric vehicles in our fleet.
Results at a glance
- Approximately 224 vehicles currently in the fleet
- A commitment to transition the fleet to battery electric vehicles by 2030
- 12 electric vehicles included in the initial 2024 pilot
- A further 29 electric vehicles introduced during the rollout
- The 2026 electric vehicle target increased from 20 per cent to 41 per cent
- Approximately 24 underutilised vehicles removed from the fleet
- Home charging, public charging and corporate chargeback options provided
- Telematics being installed in new electric vehicles.
More than a compliance exercise
The strength of the Allianz program is its focus on adoption and the removal of barriers.
Rather than treating the EV100 commitment as a deadline that can be met through procurement alone, the company is addressing the issues that affect employees directly: vehicle suitability, charging access, range, infrastructure and operational reliability.
“It’s not just about compliance,” Matthew Harvey, Head Of Property, Facilities & Fleet at Allianz, explained during the finalist interview. “It really is that adoption piece and driving the right outcome for the business.”
That approach will become increasingly important as Allianz moves beyond passenger vehicles and begins electrifying more challenging light commercial and emergency-response applications.
Vote for Allianz Australia in the Fleet Sustainability Award and recognise a long-term program designed to make fleet electrification practical, scalable and accepted across the business.