Product Overview

Summary: This Standard Operating Procedure provides a clear, end‑to‑end framework for managing electric vehicle (EV) supply chains within Australian operations. It helps organisations coordinate suppliers, logistics, compliance, and quality control across batteries, components, charging infrastructure and finished vehicles, ensuring reliability, traceability and commercial performance.

The transition to electric vehicles is reshaping supply chains across government, transport, utilities, construction, mining and corporate fleets in Australia. Unlike traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, EV supply chains involve high‑value batteries, critical minerals, specialised components, firmware, and charging infrastructure – often sourced from multiple jurisdictions with complex regulatory, environmental and ethical requirements. This SOP provides a structured, repeatable approach to planning, sourcing, transporting, storing, tracking and decommissioning EVs and related components within your organisation.

By implementing this procedure, your business can reduce delays, protect critical assets, and maintain full visibility across the EV lifecycle – from supplier selection and contract management through to delivery, commissioning, maintenance logistics and end‑of‑life recovery. The SOP supports Australian WHS and environmental obligations by embedding risk assessment, chain of responsibility considerations, and product stewardship into daily operations, while also aligning with broader ESG and modern slavery expectations. It is designed to be practical, auditable and easy to integrate with existing fleet, procurement and quality management systems.

Key Benefits

• Streamline the end‑to‑end management of EVs, batteries, components and charging infrastructure across the entire supply chain.
• Ensure consistent supplier evaluation, onboarding and performance monitoring aligned with Australian regulatory and ESG expectations.
• Improve visibility and traceability of high‑value EV assets, reducing loss, misallocation and unplanned downtime.
• Reduce commercial, reputational and compliance risks associated with battery logistics, international sourcing and chain of responsibility obligations.
• Standardise communication and handover processes between procurement, logistics, fleet management, maintenance providers and disposal partners.

Who is this for?

• Supply Chain Managers
• Procurement Managers
• Fleet Managers
• Logistics and Distribution Managers
• Operations Managers
• Sustainability Managers
• Warehouse and Inventory Coordinators
• EV Program Managers
• Quality Assurance Managers
• Compliance and Risk Managers

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose, Scope and Objectives
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms (EV, traction battery, second‑life use, OEM, etc.)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Procurement, Supply Chain, Fleet, WHS, Sustainability)
• 4.0 Regulatory, ESG and Chain of Responsibility Requirements
• 5.0 EV Supply Chain Mapping and Risk Assessment
• 6.0 Supplier Identification, Prequalification and Due Diligence
• 7.0 Contracting, Service Level Agreements and Performance Metrics
• 8.0 Procurement Planning and Order Management for EVs and Components
• 9.0 Logistics Planning for Domestic and International Movements
• 10.0 Receipt, Inspection and Commissioning of EVs and Charging Assets
• 11.0 Inventory Management, Traceability and Asset Register Requirements
• 12.0 Coordination with Maintenance Providers and Spare Parts Supply
• 13.0 Battery Lifecycle Management (including storage, transport and return logistics)
• 14.0 Product Stewardship, Recycling and End‑of‑Life Management
• 15.0 Information Management, Data Integrity and Record Keeping
• 16.0 Performance Monitoring, KPIs and Continuous Improvement
• 17.0 Non‑Conformance, Supplier Issues and Escalation Process
• 18.0 Audit, Review and Document Control

Legislation & References

• Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and Chain of Responsibility (as applied in participating Australian states and territories)
• Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth)
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
• AS ISO 14001:2016 Environmental management systems
• AS ISO 9001:2016 Quality management systems – Requirements
• AS ISO 31000:2018 Risk management – Guidelines
• AS 5377:2013 Management of electrical and electronic equipment for re-use or recycling
• National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (Cth)
• Relevant state and territory dangerous goods and waste legislation (for EV batteries and components)
• Safe Work Australia guidance on managing risks of hazardous chemicals and lithium‑ion batteries (as applicable to logistics and storage)