WM New Zealand is Aotearoa’s leading materials recovery, recycling, and waste management provider, with over 2,000 team members across 70 locations. However, alongside that, they are deeply committed to safeguarding our environment and leading by example in sustainability.
Their approach is rooted in transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement, ensuring that their actions today positively impact future generations – electric vehicles play a key role in their journey, and Volkswagen NZ (particularly the ID.5), has recently joined them for the ride.
According to Dominic Bunney, WM’s Corporate Commercial Manager, WM’s decision to add the Volkswagen ID.5 to their electric vehicle (EV) fleet stems from a combination of strategic needs and favourable attributes of the car.
Bunney says, “As part of our electrification transition, [like many] we face internal resistance on the limitations of EVs, with range being the major one. So, we continually test, assessing whether they can lower these barriers and transition more I.C.E (internal combustion engine) vehicles into EVs. The VW ID.5 solves that, and it’s just a nice car.”
WM’s shift toward electrification began years ago, initially adopting EVs like the BMW i3 in 2015-16, and later incorporating Volkswagen’s e-Golf in 2018. This long-standing relationship with Volkswagen facilitated their transition to the VW ID.5, which addresses key business challenges and aligns with their commitment to sustainability.
First and foremost, range improvements. The VW ID.5 boasts a range of up to 530km, significantly reducing range anxiety, especially for motorway driving, where previous models fell short. In practical testing, drivers consistently achieved high 400km ranges, compared to only 300km with earlier fleet vehicles. This improvement allows drivers to travel further, fulfil roles more efficiently, and spend less time charging.
“We sent them out to the regions and put them to the people who actually are doing longer journeys, putting them out for the real-world testing,” says Bunney. “The feedback is that they are charging less, they can go further and get more done, which, at the end of the day, is what we needed to do. So, it really complements the business.”
Then there was the positive organisational feedback. During a two-week test period across multiple teams, feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Employees noted the VW ID.5 was desirable, comfortable, spacious, and highly functional. Even employees resistant to transitioning from I.C.E vehicles, such as utes, ultimately praised the VW ID.5 after living with it for a few weeks.
“Some went from a ute to the VW EVs. There was so much resistance initially, but every single one of them came back after and said, this is actually fantastic. Why didn’t we do it sooner?” Bunney remarked.
Added to this is cost, service, and convenience. Volkswagen’s competitive pricing and exceptional service proved decisive. VW offered comprehensive support, including swift access to parts and accommodating service needs. Additionally, existing stock numbers, availability, and even colour choices factored into the selection, with the VW ID.5 slightly edging out the Volkswagen ID.4 for practical reasons.
Bunney explains, “VW have taken us through the parts department, given us the stats on how many parts they hold, and if they don’t, how quickly they can get it here. So it’s kind of been a full service with VW, and obviously we’ve had the relationship with them previously, so we’ve had that experience that they will deliver.”
Then there’s the business’s sustainability goals. WM’s commitment to sustainability heavily influenced its investment in EVs. The VW ID.5 aligns with their mission to reduce emissions and transition more of their fleet from I.C.E vehicles to EVs. The company aims to reach carbon zero in their operations by 2050. As an added benefit, the credibility of the Volkswagen brand helped generate internal excitement about EV adoption.
While range anxiety and charging infrastructure posed initial barriers, the VW ID.5 alleviated these concerns. WM has installed charging stations at their centralised sites, including 40 at their primary location in East Tamaki, making charging accessible during the workday. Employees can also request home chargers if needed. Additionally, the VW ID.5’s range improvements reduced fears of insufficient performance over long distances. Overall, these factors addressed the uncertainty around EV capabilities and made the switch viable.
“One went as far as saying it was life changing,” exclaims Bunney. “They do a lot of miles and a lot of motorway miles. So again, with the previous vehicle they had, they were just not getting anywhere close to 300km of range. So now that they’re getting closer to 500km they’ve said they can get home quicker, and they can fulfil the role better, with less anxiety.”
With 11 VW ID.5s currently in their fleet and plans to expand, WM is already seeing real-world benefits. Key advantages include increased productivity, fewer charging stops, and reduced anxiety among drivers.
Bunney himself tested the VW ID.5 for a full working week and claimed it was ‘just one of those cars where you looked forward to your commute’.
“It was just nice to get in, obviously being ‘EV quiet’ it was a calming space, but comfortable, spacious too. Huge inside, but not a massive car outside. It was quite deceiving how much space you actually get, and it just feels open and airy and still modern, but classy, not ‘out there’ modern.”
WM’s close partnership with Volkswagen extends beyond purchasing vehicles. For years, WM has handled waste disposal for VW New Zealand, playing a critical role in maintaining compliance and sustainability within VW’s operations. This established relationship provided confidence in Volkswagen as a partner capable of delivering not just vehicles, but also reliable service and support.
Mark Wadman, Corporate Sales Manager, EMD (Volkswagen NZ) adds, “It has been a pleasure working with WM’s team over the past 12 months. We are grateful for the opportunity to provide them with electric vehicles that support their business goals. The collaboration has been exceptionally rewarding as WM’s commitment to sustainability and innovation has inspired us to push the boundaries of what we can achieve together. We look forward to continuing this partnership and finding new ways to support their mission of creating a cleaner and greener future.”  
The VW ID.5 has proven to be somewhat of a game-changer for WM’s EV fleet. Its superior range, cost-effectiveness, service reliability, and alignment with the company’s sustainability goals made it the clear choice. By transitioning to the ID.5, WM has taken another significant step toward electrifying their fleet, improving operational efficiency, and achieving their mission of creating a cleaner, greener future.