Vehicle Upgrade FAQ

We've put together some of the frequently asked questions regarding the Vehicle Upgrade Project - please take a look & if you're not able to find the answer to your question then reach out to our team by emailing volunteer@orangesky.org.au or volunteer@orangesky.org.nz

Why are you upgrading your mobile fleet?

How will the upgrades take place? / When will my service receive the upgrades?  

How long will the vans be out of operation for when they are receiving their upgrades?

What specific upgrades will occur to each vehicle?

What are the operational benefits to this project?

Why are the shower vans not receiving any upgrades? 

What are the environmental benefits to this project? 

What will change for volunteers?

What will change for friends?

Will the vehicle upgrades be tested before the project is undertaken?

Why are you upgrading your mobile fleet?

Orange Sky is committed to regularly reviewing and improving our services to ensure we can continue to provide a positive volunteer experience and successful delivery of support to our friends. The roll out of the Vehicle Upgrade Project is set to improve vehicle usability and reliability, the volunteer experience and our environmental impact. It comes after an analysis of findings from both an external asset review and volunteer feedback.

How will the upgrades take place? / When will my service receive the upgrades?

We have developed a comprehensive roll-out plan, which has been created with the ultimate goal of minimising the impact on existing shifts and ensuring volunteers have plenty of support and training as you learn to use the upgraded vehicles. The roll-out will take a staggered approach, and due to the complexity of the roll-out and potential for changes, we will communicate with each service as proposed dates for the vehicle upgrades are firmly locked in.

How long will the vans be out of operation for when they are receiving their upgrades?

Laundry vans will be out of operation for around 5 or more days to upgrade, and hybrid vans will be out of operation for around 7 or more days to upgrade. However, most services will (if not all) have an alternative vehicle to use during this upgrade time, so shift downtime will be minimal.

What specific upgrades will occur to each vehicle?

The Vehicle Upgrade Project will see all Orange Sky laundry and hybrid vans across Australia and New Zealand upgraded to improve vehicle usability, reliability and sustainability through the below upgrades:

1. Upgrading the vehicles to run off a solar-powered battery bank, removing the generator completely

2. Replacing all existing dryers with 'Waru Dryers' - which will reduce electrical consumption by 90%, per shift

3. Installing two new washing machines - featuring a faster spin and a spin only cycle option

4. Repositioning the washing machines and dryers for easier access for friends and volunteers

5. A bigger, easier to use and more robust awning

6. Repositioning the hose reel to minimise trip hazards on shift.

What are the operational benefits to this project?

There are so many operational benefits that will result from the Vehicle Upgrade Project. 

Our most exciting upgrade is the removal of the generator. Generator failure accounts for up to 10% of cancelled shifts per year, not only affecting our social impact but also resulting in a significant annual-servicing price tag. 

The replacement of the generator with the REDARC solar-powered battery bank means we can reduce the number of cancelled shifts, cut servicing and maintenance time and costs, but most importantly, significantly reduce our environmental footprint by using cleaner, more reliable power on shift. 

Other operational benefits include:

1. Repositioning of the washing machines and dryers to face the door, as opposed to parallel to the door, allowing for much easier access and movement

2. A bigger, easier to use and more robust awning to provide more coverage from the elements for volunteers and friends, allowing more time for uninterrupted conversation and connection

3. Repositioning the hose reel to minimise trip hazards and improve safety whilst on shift."

Why are the shower vans not receiving any upgrades?

The Vehicle Upgrade Project is focused on addressing issues relating to our laundry and hybrid vehicles only as they make up the majority of our fleet. We are however committed to continuing to review and improve all of our services, including other asset types at a later date.

What are the environmental benefits to this project?

We estimate that the removal of all generators across our fleet will reduce greenhouse gases produced by Orange Sky shifts by up to 70%, saving more than an estimated 161 tonnes of CO2-e over a year. In addition, the replacement of all existing dryers with the Orange Sky Waru Dryer will reduce electrical consumption by up to 90% per shift.

What will change for volunteers?

We are confident that the Vehicle Upgrade Project will maximise service reliability, enhance safety measures, simplify maintenance, and increase the usability of our fleet. We hope the biggest change for you is a happier and more enjoyable volunteer experience! 

The upgrades will change how the van is operated, so we expect there to be a small teething period as volunteers become familiar with the new operational functions. We have developed a range of training resources to help with this process.

All volunteers will be enrolled in the new online training module, created specifically for the new upgraded vehicles. As with previous vehicles, there will also be ongoing, accessible material available via the volunteer portal as well. Each vehicle will also contain operational cards and information for while you are on shift.

We are really excited for you to meet your new and improved vehicle! Whilst we'll do our best to make these upgrades a smooth transition, we know that not everything will be perfect, so we encourage and appreciate your feedback along the way.

What will change for friends?

In short, nothing will change for friends accessing an Orange Sky shift. The Vehicle Upgrade Project aims to reduce shift cancellations and improve the overall experience whilst on shift. In a nutshell, we hope it means we are more reliable for our friends and can continue to scale our impact across the country.

Will the vehicle upgrades be tested before the project is undertaken?

Across many months of testing, we have piloted, refined and validated all refurbishments within the Vehicle Upgrade Project, and have endorsed the performance of each upgrade across a number of different assets.