Top Sparx Electrical Cuts Fuel Costs in Half with Electric Vehicles

In a time of rising fuel costs, Top Sparx Electrical in New Zealand cut their fuel costs in half switching to electric cars and using Schneider Charge EV chargers. Find out how the Top Sparx team made this change and discover the financial and sustainability benefits of transitioning to EV.

The Problem: Operating Costs Out of Control

For sparkies across New Zealand, fuel costs have become one of the biggest drains on profitability. With diesel sitting around $3.00 per litre, 57% of small to medium businesses report fuel is a top operational concern. The cost difference is stark: diesel vehicles burn through $32 to $40 per 100km, while electric vehicles only cost roughly $3 per 100km to run.

EV adoption is rising across New Zealand at a rapid rate, though it’s still relatively new in the trade. But for businesses like Top Sparx Electrical, who are willing to make the switch, the savings are real.

Dillon, owner of Top Sparx Electrical in Auckland, felt the pressure of running two diesel Toyota Hiaces and his own ute. With his annual vehicle costs hitting around $42,000 covering fuel, maintenance, and related expenses. Fuel alone was costing about $150 per week, per vehicle.

“It was crazy. I was looking for a way to reduce my running costs, so I looked into electric vans,” Dillon says. “Even a couple of years ago they were too expensive, but the costs have reduced significantly, so they are now cheaper than a similar-sized diesel.”

Just two years prior, EV vans were running $55,000 to $60,000 a significant cost for most electrical businesses. But when Dillon checked again, the market had shifted. The latest EV van price? Just $25,000 brand new.

The Solution: A Practical EV Fleet Transition

Dillon didn’t flip his entire fleet overnight. Instead, he transitioned to EV vans as his older diesel vehicles came up for replacement. A practical, low-risk approach that kept the business running smoothly.

And how did he reduce costs in the long-term? A straightforward approach: install a home charger at each team member’s house. Dillon paid to have a Schneider Charge installed at his employee’s home, giving the team a simple routine — plug in at night, wake up to a fully charged van every morning.

The Results: Real Savings, Real Fast

The numbers speak for themselves. Weekly running costs dropped from around $150 per vehicle (diesel, excluding maintenance) to about $70 to $80 per week after New Zealand’s electric road user charges. That’s roughly half the weekly cost compared to diesel.

Maintenance is lighter, too. Service intervals are every 30,000 km, and with fewer moving parts, there’s simply less that can go wrong. Day-to-day operations are simpler, staff go home, plug in, and the van is fully charged each morning. No more fuel stops cutting into job time.

Public charging is rarely needed. The vans do around 200km per day, and even fully loaded with multiple short trips, they only occasionally need a half-hour top-up at a charging station during breaks. “95% of the time it’s not an issue,” Dillon notes.

Beyond the cost savings, reducing carbon emissions is a positive factor for Dillon. Not just for the environment, but as a point of difference when talking to clients and the wider industry.

The Challenges (And How to Handle Them)

It’s not all smooth sailing. The smaller EV vans have less interior space than the Toyota Hiace, which means the team has had to get better at stock management and organisation. It’s a trade-off, but one that’s manageable with a bit of planning.

The other limitation? Charging access. The home charging model only works for staff with off-street parking. If your team doesn’t have driveways or garages, you’ll need to think through alternative charging solutions.

The Bigger Picture: Leading the Way

With his experience with EV fleet transition and charging, Dillon isn’t keeping this to himself. He’s actively talking to other in the industry about what he’s achieved, and the response has been strong.

“I’ve told others across the industry about the benefits, and people are pretty interested. A lot didn’t think shifting to EVs was viable, until I told them about what I’ve achieved. The vans are cheap and there are lower ongoing costs — I think this model would help anyone, from small businesses up.”

Ready to Cut Your Fuel Costs? Work with us!

If you’re looking to reduce your operating costs, it’s worth taking a serious look at EVs. The upfront cost has come down, the running costs are half what you’re paying now, and PDL by Schneider Electric are here to support you with this transition. The Schneider Charge is proven to be a reliable and cost-effective EV Charging solution that is pivotal to your fleet transition.

Join Top Sparx Electrical’s in being one of the first in the electrical industry to make the switch to EV and experience real savings. The numbers don’t lie.