OfficeMax New Zealand, the country’s leading workplace solutions specialist, has put a handbrake on its petrol-powered cars in a bid to cut its fleet emissions in half.

Far from being the first company to acknowledge its corporate responsibility when it comes to emissions, OfficeMax has committed to walking the walk and talking the talk with regards the company’s 2025 Sustainability Strategy.

For those not in the know, OfficeMax employs more than 500 passionate New Zealanders across its two distribution centres, three showrooms, sales offices, contact centre and Highbrook HQ, and has been an important part of New Zealand workplaces and homes for more than 150 years.

One of the core considerations for OfficeMax has been what to do with its extensive fleet of conventional ICE-powered vehicles.

The 105 OfficeMax branded vehicles will be phased out gradually by the end of 2023, the fleet total reduced to 95 and the ICE vehicles replaced with a combination of both fully electric and hybrid LEVs (low emission vehicles).

Analysis of this dramatic shift from ICE to electric has indicated a reduction of fleet-based emissions of around 50 percent and reduce the company’s overall CO2 emissions by approximately 185 tons per year.

Aided in the endeavour by FleetPartners in terms of the vehicle selection and procurement, the largest part of the transition has been internal; the adjustment in thinking of OfficeMax fleet users and administrators.

“The first question we asked ourselves was ‘Are our people ready?’ We knew that the transition was necessary, but we were also mindful that we had to properly understand the readiness of our people to adopt electric vehicles,” says Ben Norrie, Chief Financial Officer of OfficeMax New Zealand.

Any company looking to transition between a known quantity when it comes to fleet management and having to readjust to the finer points of electrified vehicle operation is going to face a re-education process and OfficeMax proved this conclusively.

“Prior to making any commitments as far as the vehicles were concerned,” says Ben, “we surveyed our staff, and found that there was some education required regarding the distance EVs can travel before needing to be charged.”

More results from the internal survey highlighted range anxiety (concern that an EV will not be able to drive the distance required), as a key issue with nearly half (44 percent) of staff.

The cost of charging vehicles and uncertainty about how to drive an EV were also factors.

“We did expect results of this nature,” says Ben. “We had some experience with some earlier electric vehicles, but these were largely used by our administrative people, and they were not designed to be used by our sales team, whose requirements are more diverse and demanding.”

To overcome the concerns raised, OfficeMax implemented a number of solutions, including a drive day with the Hyundai Kona and Toyota RAV4 SUVs which will ultimately be part of the OfficeMax fleet, a commitment to install charging stations at work and at the homes of electric vehicle drivers enabling staff to feel more comfortable with the transition and ease range concerns.

“Home charging is just one element of the vehicle charge offerings that OfficeMax is undertaking, says Ben. “The use of RFID technology within the charging units will allow drivers to track their individual power consumption, so that OfficeMax can reimburse staff appropriately.”

Considering the magnitude of the re-fleeting, the timing seemed right to update the vehicle branding to better reflect the diversity of product making up OfficeMax’s business.

“When people think of OfficeMax,” says Ben, “most assume we deal with office stationery and secretarial supplies. In fact, last year, our biggest division was packaging supplies.”

OfficeMax is New Zealand’s leading workplace and education solutions provider, with tens of thousands of products available through its thriving online-retail business – from workplace furniture, technology and café solutions to cleaning and safety products.

“The new branding tells a story of the products we offer with a touch of humour. We have, for example ‘Copy paper to Coffee Beans’ and ‘from Headphones to Hard hats’ – all designed to reflect the breadth of our product ranges.”     

The new fleet vehicles include 16 fully electric Hyundai Konas, six hybrid Toyota hatchback and 73 hybrid Toyota RAV4s in GX specification.

OfficeMax’s hybrid vehicles will be delivered by the end of September, with its fully electric vehicles due to hit the road this month.