Record investment in low emissions vehicles announced
Low emission transport will receive a record boost
Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods said this round of funding from the Government‘s Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund was the largest round of new funding yet. It focuses on 31 innovative projects that expand the use and possibilities of electric vehicles and other low emissions technology in the transport space.
“It‘s about making new technology available to help Kiwis get around, lower our carbon emissions and contribute to our economy,” she said.
“From 100% electric campervans for tourists to hydrogen fuel cell powered buses at the Ports of Auckland to
“We‘re also funding a further 34 new public charging spaces for electric vehicles right around New Zealand, including several at South Island tourism hot-spots. This is about creating a truly national infrastructure of EV charging so that all major trips around our country are available to EV users.”
Woods said this was by far the biggest round of new projects delivered by the fund. In total, the fund has committed $17.2 million in government funding to 93 projects, which was matched by more than $45 million applicant funding.
“Transport is responsible for about 18% of New Zealand‘s total greenhouse gas emissions, so one of the most effective ways for us to help tackle climate change is to transition our fossil-fuelled transport fleet to run on clean, renewable energy sources.”
Projects approved in the latest round include the following:
Foodstuffs New Zealand $379,600
Foodstuffs NZ will add four 100% electric trucks to its existing fleet, two each on delivery routes in the North and South Islands. There will be two 6 tonne and two 11 tonne trucks using a standard Isuzu ‘glider‘ cab and chassis fitted with batteries, motor
TR Group $350,000
TR Group will purchase three
Ports of Auckland Ltd $250,000
As part of its hydrogen fuel demonstration project, Ports of Auckland together with its partners (Auckland Transport, Auckland Council and KiwiRail) will procure hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (EECA funding goes toward one bus and up to three cars) that will be used and tested as part of the wider hydrogen demonstration project in Auckland. The project is reliant on the completion of Ports of Auckland‘s separately funded hydrogen plant project, expected to be completed in December 2019. The project will be undertaken in collaboration with project partners with each party testing the viability of the fuel cell vehicles for their needs.
PPCS $178,550
PPCS will buy a 10m3 electric rubbish truck to service Wellington City Council for 40 housing sites, covering 3000 to 4000 residences. Replacing a diesel truck, this will be the first fully electric rubbish truck in Wellington. PPCS sees the electric truck as a major step towards their target of replacing 70% of their fleet of 60 vehicles by 2025, based in locations from Whangarei to Christchurch.
DHL Express (New Zealand) Ltd $62,685
DHL Express will purchase three LDV EV80 electric vans to be used as a pilot in the express courier industry. One van will operate from each of the main distribution depots – Auckland, Wellington
VTNZ battery and charging $26,000
VTNZ will test the reliability and affordability of a method for testing EV battery condition and/or charging infrastructure performance and safety, helping to advance the knowledge and skills needed to develop an EV battery servicing market in New Zealand. VTNZ will leverage the experience of their parent company in Germany to develop a test for New Zealand conditions. The test would provide the buyer of a second-hand electric vehicle with confidence in battery condition, life expectancy and charging ability and safety.