Updates on EECA's work to grow the number of electric vehicles on New Zealand roads. No Images? Click here Electric Vehicle News Last week to apply for co-fundingGet your low carbon skates on – applications to the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund close at 9am on Thursday 21 March. The first applications are already in, says Fund Manager Camilla Cochrane, but past patterns suggest another 70 will be coming down the pipeline. “My top tip for applicants is to make sure you nail why the government should give your project co-funding over others. Think about what makes your project innovative and different,” she says. “The old advice still applies too – the assessment panels prefers projects that are well thought out, fully costed and ready to go.” Picture: Car share service Mevo was co-funded to demonstrate a fleet of 50 EVs and install 64 kerbside charging stations in central Wellington. Get involved with the Great EV Road TripThe EV buzz is coming to a town near you, with the Great EV Road Trip run by the Better NZ Trust. From 28 March, the EV convoy will call a halt in 32 towns around the country, put out the flags and give people a chance to ride or drive an EV for free. A number of previously unvisited towns are on the route this year because improved battery storage technologies, plus the ever-expanding nationwide charging network, means EVs can go just about anywhere, says Better NZ Trust Chairperson Kathryn Trounson. If you’re an EV-loving businesses or individual, get on board. The month-long trip attracts high-profile interest from media and the public. Follow the Facebook page and share events near you; tell your friends and customers. There are still sponsorship opportunities – be in quick. Email Kathryn@betternz.org to find out more. New course gives auto technicians EV skills A new qualification that focuses on the safe inspection, servicing and repair of electric vehicles (EVs) will be officially launched at the end of the month. MITO developed the New Zealand Certificate in Electric Vehicle Automotive Engineering over the past year with co-funding from the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund. The project was one of the first to use the fund’s scope at a higher level, says Richard Briggs, EECA’s Manager Programme Partnerships. “We need to demonstrate electric cars, buses, trucks and so on, but we also need to build platforms that support a widespread transition to EVs,” he says. The Level 5 programme is made up of 70 credits and is expected to take 11 months to complete. Qualified technicians will soon be able to enrol through the MITO website. Electric cars tick all the boxesJon Spiller was unconvinced by electric vehicles a year ago. Now he has two. What changed? Fleet switch case studyThe Climate Leaders Coalition recently published a case study focusing on Meridian’s journey to electrify its fleet. The Coalition promotes business leadership and collective action on climate change. Several of EECA’s carbon-conscious client businesses have signed up. Meridian’s fleet of passenger vehicles is currently more than 50% pure electric. The company says on average, it is saving around $5000 a year on maintenance and fuel costs for each vehicle. |