Fleet Decarbonisation Plan in Action
WRITTEN BY KATE GISLASON – SUSTAINABILITY ENGAGEMENT LEAD
As part of our commitment to reducing operational emissions, EcoCentral is moving forward with a targeted plan to decarbonise our fleet. Around 75% of our total greenhouse gas emissions (scope 1 and 2) currently come from vehicles and machinery across our sites. That makes transport a key area of focus as we work towards a lower-carbon, more sustainable operation.
This year (FY26), a series of approved fleet replacements will see electric vehicles and more efficient machinery rolled out across the EcoSort, EcoShop, and our EcoDrops. These upgrades are designed to reduce fuel use, lower emissions, and modernise our equipment for the future.
What’s Being Replaced in FY26:
EcoDrops:
- Hook trucks will be replaced at both Parkhouse and Metro with newer, more fuel-efficient models.
- At Metro and Styx, team leaders will transition to electric vehicles (EVs), alongside an EV upgrade for the Metro site manager.
EcoSort:
- One electric forklift and one electric loader will be introduced to replace older diesel-powered equipment.
EcoShop:
- The site manager’s vehicle will be replaced with an EV.
- A new Heli electric forklift will support day-to-day operations at the shop.
Resource Recovery:
- Two Heli electric forklifts will be deployed to further reduce emissions across recovery activities.
These changes will reduce greenhouse gas emissions across key assets of the fleet, support quieter and cleaner operations, and reduce fossil fuel dependency. They also reflect EcoCentral’s broader goals—supporting Christchurch’s climate targets, demonstrating environmental leadership, and improving operational efficiency. Work to reduce fleet emissions will continue beyond FY26. Planning is already underway to identify the next members of the fleet for replacement, as well as opportunities to expand electric alternatives across the business. This includes assessing operational needs, available technology, and cost-efficiency to ensure each decision delivers real emissions reductions.
By taking these steps, we’re building the groundwork for a lower-emissions fleet that helps us meet sustainability goals while keeping our services running smoothly.
