Mace Hartley Executive Director
Executive Director’ s Report
Mace Hartley Executive Director
Welcome to the April 2026 edition of FleetDrive, AfMA’ s bi-monthly e-magazine where we share the latest developments across the fleet and automotive industries.
In this edition, we’ re looking at EVs in Action and how they’ re being tested, deployed, managed, and scaled across the Asia Pacific Region. From charging infrastructure and energy management to maintenance, compliance, driver adoption, and operational planning, this issue focuses on how fleets are incorporating EVs into their day-to-day operations.
We ' ll be exploring many moving parts behind a successful EV transition including the hidden administrative friction that can come with managing mixed fleets and looking at how effective charging starts with where vehicles are already parked. We’ ll also talk the lessons from bringing specific EVs into a roadside patrol fleet and how organisational alignment may now be one of the biggest barriers to electrification. We also look ahead to how AI could support fleet teams and exploring the growing role of the AI coworker in reducing admin and speeding up decisions.
We ' re also taking a wider view of the EV landscape, from Australia’ s current market conditions and the promise of bi-directional charging to the growing importance of
EV production and manufacturers across Southeast Asia. We also celebrate Women in Fleet Management with our profile of Kendall Tait, our thank you to the 2026 mentors.
On another note, we’ re only a few weeks away from the 2026 Fleet Leadership and Education Summit. We’ re coming back to the Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney on May 19 and 21 for two days of Linking People and Knowledge, Creating Outcomes. This year, we have 70 + exhibitors, 50 + speakers, and 25 + educational speakers centred on the theme " Powered by Connection”. Join several hundred individuals who own, control or influence over 1 million vehicles to share knowledge, enhance safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability, whilst providing an opportunity to foster the next generation of fleet practitioners. Book your tickets or view the Preliminary Program today.
Expressions of interest for the Industry Development Program( IDP) are still open. This visionary initiative is free and has been developed by AfMA and its Corporate Partners( Geotab, Autorola, Pedders Suspension & Brakes, RedBook, Ampol and Zurich Resilience Solutions) to address the critical need for succession planning within the industry, ensuring a seamless transition for the forthcoming generation of fleet professionals. Successful member applicants will have access
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