Choosing the right vehicle
Considerations for new vehicles
When you’re selecting a new vehicle, you should consider:
- selecting an electric vehicle (EV). Note: speak to your fleet consultant about EV options and your agency’s EV transition plan
- the environment that the vehicle will operate in
- the types of tasks that the vehicle will be used for
- the vehicle’s appropriateness for its operational role
- the tasks that a vehicle operator will perform
- the physical characteristics and capabilities of drivers or operators who will use the vehicle
- environmental factors
- whether any fit-out and accessories could affect the vehicle’s structural or on-road safety performance
- the availability of local servicing dealerships
- refuelling needs.
Minimum safety specification
QFleet applies a mandatory minimum safety specification when approving new vehicles for Queensland Government’s fleet. Some of these specifications include:
- mandatory ANCAP 5-star safety rating *
- advanced vehicle braking and stability systems, such as electronic stability control (ESC), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (EBA)
- collision warning and avoidance systems, such as forward collision mitigation, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control (ACC), blind spot monitoring (BSM) and lane departure monitoring (LDM)
- reversing collision avoidance aids, such as reverse parking sensors and cameras
- hands-free Bluetooth connectivity, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- seat belt pre-tensioners on all seating positions
- seat belt reminders on all seating positions
- driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags, side curtain airbags and knee airbags
- adjustable head restraints on all seating positions
- cargo barriers for all station wagons, goods-carrying vans, 4WD wagons and people movers.
* Vehicles with less than 5 stars will be considered only by exception against superior fitness for purpose.
As well as the QFleet specifications, agencies should consider additional safety requirements that are specific to their operation and workplace’s service delivery needs.