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Electric vehicles grab attention
EECA’s initiatives to promote electric vehicles to New Zealanders got off to a strong start this month with International Drive Electric Week.
“We launched two key parts of the Government’s EV programme – the information campaign and the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund,” says Liz Yeaman, EECA’s General Manager Transport. “On the street, more than 100 EV owners did a fantastic job of sharing their joy for EVs with thousands of people at over 50 events across the country.”
EECA Chief Executive Mike Underhill went to Thames for the opening of a new fast charger and met Roald Barthow (89), one of New Zealand’s oldest EV owners.
The Government's target is to grow EV registrations to 64,000 by 2021. Ministry of Transport data show just over 1,800 were registered as of September 2016.
Interest in the contestable fund has been strong, with more than 140 potential suppliers looking into the RFP documents. Applications for Round 1 of the funding are open until 17 October.
“International Drive Electric Week really grabbed the attention of media and the public. It’s exciting that our initiatives are off to such a good start,” says Liz.
Electric vehicles information website
Picture: Mike Underhill, EECA Chief Executive (left) with EV owner Roald Barthow.
Levy changes proposed
Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges has proposed changes to how EECA is funded so activities can better focus on the transport and industrial sectors.
At present EECA is part-funded from a levy collected from the electricity industry which can only be used to fund electricity efficiency initiatives. Under the proposals, EECA would be able to access funding through the Petroleum and Engine Fuels Monitoring Levy (PEFML) and the Gas Levy to use on initiatives in the transport and industrial sectors.
New Zealand’s best opportunities for increasing energy productivity and reducing carbon emissions lie in our transport and industrial sectors. The levy changes will allow EECA the flexibility to focus more in these areas.
EECA will use levy funding to run programmes directly linked to the source of funding. For example, PEFML funds could be used for EECA’s electric vehicles promotion campaign and to administer the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund. Gas Levy funds could be used to support the installation of more efficient gas appliances.
The levy change will be part of a Bill which is expected to be introduced to Parliament later this year. The levy change is intended to take effect from mid-2017.
Minister Bridges's media release
Picture: The Kupe Plant has become New Zealand’s largest producer of oil and gas. (Credit: Chris Sisarich)
Top marks for EECA brands
EECA and its consumer-facing ENERGYWISE brand are among New Zealand's most influential, recent market research has found.
Around 1,000 New Zealanders were interviewed on 100 national and international brands by Ipsos, a global market research company.
The results ranked EECA/ENERGYWISE first for encouraging New Zealanders to make smarter or better choices, and number 11 for the most influential brand in the country after giants such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Apple.
EECA/ENERGYWISE was found to be the most influential of the government brands included, with the research highlighting that its influence comes from strengths in trustworthiness and corporate responsibility.
EECA/ENERGYWISE also ranked highly for:
- Environmental responsibility (2nd)
- Social responsibility (2nd)
- Important in the world today (4th)
- Is a brand I trust (6th).
Can we green our freight?
Brains from across the freight sector will debate ways to become more efficient and sustainable next month.
EECA estimates the average heavy vehicle fleet could save 10% of its fuel use through driver behaviour change and improved systems and processes. There are further opportunities in coastal and rail freight.
A series of three seminars – hosted jointly by EECA and the Sustainable
Business Council (SBC) – will open discussions on how industry and policy-makers can best collaborate to seize opportunities to reduce emissions and improve efficiencies.
As keynote speaker, international sustainable freight expert Sophie Punte will share examples around the world.
Sophie is founder and Executive Director of the Smart Freight Centre, a non-profit organisation that aims to make the global freight sector more efficient and environmentally sustainable.
The main event is in Auckland (5 Oct), with follow-up sessions in Christchurch (6 Oct) and Wellington (7 Oct). Sophie will speak at all three events. Numbers are limited.
Picture: Sustainable freight expert Sophie Punte.
Practical steps to transition
What will a low carbon economy mean for business, local government and communities?
Following the success of last year's event, the Australia-New Zealand Climate Change and Business Conference 2016 will delve more deeply into the challenges of transitioning to a low carbon economy.
Hon Paula Bennett, Minister for Climate Change Issues, is scheduled to speak. Learnings from around the world will be backed up with New Zealand case studies.
Other sessions will explore how to develop a business strategy to align with international emissions reductions targets, and how to finance the transition.
The conference is organised by the Environmental Defence Society. EECA Business is proud to be a sponsor.
Dive into our energy future
Analysis of New Zealand's possible energy futures was released by the BusinessNZ Energy Council (BEC) this month.
The 'deep dive' aims to enable a richer conversation as the government considers new energy targets.
Last year BEC released two energy scenarios for New Zealand. One is market-led (‘Kayak’), and the other government-led (‘Waka’). The scenarios have been further examined to provide of insights on how we become more productive in the way we use energy, and how renewables may penetrate the energy system.
Deep Dive into Energy Targets for New Zealand - BEC website
Fun discoveries
A new attraction in Christchurch is teaching visitors about the scientific discoveries made by Ernest, Lord Rutherford, in the actual rooms where he studied.
Rutherford’s Den, in the Arts Centre, features hands-on activities that explore the science of Rutherford and his contemporaries that influence our lives today, including TV, radio, sonar and telephone.
EECA is a supporter of the renewable energy room, which features interactive learning activities for all ages.
Picture: The Arts Centre
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