Yarra Valley Water has deployed its first commercial light electric utility vehicles as part of a push toward net zero.
The two electric utility vehicles will be used by the utility’s Customer Response Officers to investigate water pressure and water quality enquiries across its service area.
This is part of the utility’s plane to achieve net-zero across Scope 1 and 2 emissions in the 2025–26 financial year.
Fitted with a mini laboratory, workstation and mobile office setup, the vehicles allow officers to test and analyse water quality on-site, improving response times while reducing operational emissions.
Yarra Valley Water Managing Director Natalie Foeng said the vehicles demonstrate how the utility is embedding sustainability into frontline operations.
“When someone has a concern about their water supply, they want help fast. These electric vehicles mean our team can test water on the spot while also reducing emissions in the neighbourhoods we serve,” Foeng said.
The vehicles will be powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity through Yarra Valley Water’s growing charging network, including infrastructure supported by its solar carpark.
Foeng said the transition to electric vehicles also made long-term economic sense.
“The economics of electric vehicles increasingly stack up. They’re cheaper to run, require less maintenance and help us manage fuel price volatility, while supporting our broader sustainability goals,” she said.
The deployment builds on Yarra Valley Water’s broader fleet electrification strategy. In 2025, the utility committed to purchasing only electric passenger vehicles, with work continuing to transition its operational fleet.
The new electric utility vehicles are expected to begin supporting customers across Yarra Valley Water’s network from July 2026.
