Updates on the Government's work to grow the number of electric vehicles on New Zealand roads. No Images? Click here Electric Vehicle News Record-breaking funding round announcedEnergy and Resources Minister Megan Woods announced today that low emission transport will receive another boost totaling more than $11 million. She marked the occasion with stakeholders including Ngāi Tahu Tourism CEO Quentin Hall (left) and EECA CE Andrew Caseley (middle). Projects approved under round five of the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund will share more than $4.3 million of government co-funding – the largest amount made available so far. Ngāi Tahu Tourism's project was among 31 to get the green light – also a new record number. Each previous round has given the green light to between 14 and 18 projects. Successful applicants will contribute more than $7.3 million of their own money, bringing the total investment to $11.65 million. Applications to the next round will open soon - stay subscribed to this newsletter to hear it first! Pictured: Minister Megan Woods with Quentin Hall (left) and Andrew Caseley. Linked projects making stronger impactA 100% electric Britz eVolve campervan shared the limelight with the Minister during her announcement, as an example of how projects were linking up to create a stronger impact, she said. Ngāi Tahu Tourism will be co-funded to install seven rapid chargers at key tourism sites, while Tourism Holdings Ltd (thl) was co-funded to build an electric campervan in January 2018. The thl project included working in partnership with Holiday Parks New Zealand to install 54 AC charging stations at 24 holiday parks. These are included in itineraries for North and South Islands with charging stations at 100km intervals. "I look forward to seeing the electric campervans charging up at Ngāi Tahu Tourism’s sites, or travelling popular tourist routes opened up by other co-funded projects," Minister Woods said. Charging, hydrogen innovations approved Other projects approved for co-funding from round five include:
Christina Bu media coverageGlobal EV specialist Christina Bu's visit to New Zealand in November was a huge success, generating a tonne of media coverage. Christina spoke to punters in Auckland, Wellington in Christchurch, reminding them transport is the easiest way to reduce emissions because the solutions are already there. Consumers, manufacturers, industry and government need to team up and get things changing now, she said. Christina was hosted by Drive Electric with support from EECA and Meridian Energy. |