EV entrepreneur honoured as truck clocks up 26,000km

There's a happy sequel to the story of the electric transport start-up powered by a friendship formed at Little Athletics.

In September, Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart and Premier Chris Minns invited Verdline founder Ryan McBriarty and Chanel Vaccari, the Coalcliff broker who helped finance his first electric truck, to a community recognition ceremony at NSW Parliament. 

“It was incredibly special,” Ryan said. 

“Maryanne actually first became aware of Verdline through the article in The Illawarra Flame, so in a way this recognition traces back to the story you published earlier this year."

Honoured alongside Electrify 2515, the first community-led electrification pilot, Ryan's Verdline venture has been formally praised in parliament, with the Heathcote MP telling members: "Ryan's innovation and commitment to cleaner transport, paired with Chanel's expertise in small-business finance, highlight how trusted local connections can spark real economic and environmental progress.

"Their story reflects the resilience and ingenuity of Illawarra businesses adapting to rising costs, fuel volatility and shifting market demands."

Ryan said receiving a recognition certificate at September's afternoon tea with the premier was a big boost for his fledgling enterprise.

“When you're starting a business, particularly one trying to do something a little differently in an established industry, most of your time is spent concentrating on the next delivery, the next customer and the next challenge. Being invited into NSW Parliament and recognised for what we're trying to build was a rare opportunity to stop and appreciate how far we've come in a relatively short period of time.

“On a personal level, it also made the leap into starting Verdline feel worthwhile.

"I know there will inevitably be challenges over the next 18 months as we try to establish and grow the business, but having a moment like that made me feel incredibly grateful that I took the chance to pursue it."

Transport electrification accelerates

Ryan’s business hit the road in Sydney in February 2026, before the war in the Middle East began, at a time when diesel was about $1.80 per litre. 

Diesel currently costs from $2.88 in Wollongong, according to NSW Fuel Check, and amid the ongoing oil supply chain instability and fluctuating fuel prices, Australians are making a big switch.

Electric vehicles sales have overtaken sales of petrol cars for the first time in Australia, as the Flame reported last month. Figures for August showed more than 27,000 battery electric vehicles were sold, which was 24.9% of all new vehicle sales and a new monthly record.

Locally, interest in EVs is evident not only at dealerships but in the community.

The Electrify movement that began in postcode 2515 has spread around the country, inspiring over 100 more electric communities to start work on curbing carbon emissions. Austinmer engineer Dr Saul Griffith’s advice has become so popular, he’s had to create an online clone, Electric Saul. And when Electrify Kiama held July's popular EV Open Day, UOW's Energy Futures Network Director Ty Christopher told us Australia’s transport electrification had an unlikely champion: US President Donald Trump.

“He is doing more for renewables and the uptake thereof, particularly here in Australia, and particularly in the transport industry than almost any other person," Ty said.

“There's no denying the acceleration factor here, driven by concerns over sovereign fuel security. None of Australia's sun, none of Australia's wind – which we have in abundance – has to come through the Strait of Hormuz. It's already here for us to use, that's the real bottom line.” 

Ambition to build electric fleet

As an innovator in small business, Ryan McBriarty has had a “really encouraging” first nine months. His Foton T5 EV – a battery-electric light-duty truck with a 220-kilometre range – has travelled more than 26,000km, delivering freight across Sydney and surrounding regions. And the future looks bright.

“We’re now working directly with a growing number of businesses, and one of the most encouraging things has been seeing the variety of freight an electric truck can handle,” Ryan said.

“We’ve transported everything from everyday palletised freight through to beverages, building products and dangerous goods.

“There are definitely still challenges in building a transport business from the ground up, but the experience so far has strengthened my belief that electric trucks can already perform a meaningful role in metropolitan freight. The focus now is on building more regular work and proving that model commercially.”

Asked if he had plans to expand, Ryan said: “Absolutely, although I’m deliberately trying to grow at the right pace. The ambition has always been to build a fleet of zero-emission commercial vehicles, rather than Verdline remaining a single-truck operation."

Ryan is now weighing up whether to invest in another electric truck or buy a smaller EV for lighter metropolitan deliveries.

“The important thing for me is that the next vehicle follows genuine customer demand. If we can prove that electric freight works commercially as well as environmentally, then I think there is a significant opportunity to expand the model across Sydney and eventually beyond.”