With the growing need to look at alternative fuel sources across the industry, fuel haulage may be one area of transport that looks very different by 2050.
If electric, hydrogen or other renewable fuels are adopted en masse, operators like the Purtill Group could have their business environment suddenly change.
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“We’re watching on the zero emissions front,” owner Neville Purtill says.
“Our belief is that regional Australia is still going to be reliant on petroleum products. Our future is reasonably secure. We’re looking at areas and opportunities.
“When we’re looking at redeveloping a service station for instance, we’re looking at how we can include EV charging.
“There will be changes in the fuel space over time. Maybe not this year, but over the next five to 10 years.”
And while they are looking at the future, the 50 year milestone of the fuel haulage business is all about celebrating the past of the business, and acknowledging all of the hard work that has gone into, and continues to go into it.
While his brothers have departed the family business, Neville continues to work on seeing it into the future alongside his wife Debbie and his children Matthew and Jenna.
There is now a third generation of Purtills involved within the business, which Neville says brings great joy to he and his wife.
“My son is involved in the retail side of Purtill Group. There is the next generation coming through and showing interest in the transport side. It’s encouraging to see,” he says.
“That’s part of the reason why we do it. I was given an opportunity by my father, and we can hopefully give that opportunity to the next generation.”
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the fuel haulage business, and more than 70 years for the Purtill Group, they released their own magazines (which you can find on the Purtill Group website), detailing the history of their great family company.
While the magazine acts as a method of preserving history, Neville says it is also an acknowledgement of all the people that helped along the way to keep the Purtill Group as strong as it is in 2025 and beyond.
“We wanted to celebrate and thank those that have been part of the journey, and acknowledge them,” he says.
“We’ve had a lot of good people and good customers over that time. It’s an achievement that we get to celebrate.”
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