Shared EV fleets hits Auckland

A small but growing fleet of shared electric vehicles (EV) is now available for Aucklanders to get around.

Car sharing company Cityhop last Friday released its second shared EV in Auckland - an SUV with more to come.

Cityhop is a car sharing business whereby users pay to rent vehicles by the hour, via its website.

Auckland mayor Phil Goff said the EV movement was already in motion.

‘‘Every car share vehicle takes up to 13 cars off our roads and

‘‘Every car share vehicle takes up to 13 cars off our roads’’

every electric vehicle is one less car sending carbon into our atmosphere,’’ Goff said. Cityhop’s new EV would be available at the Downtown carpark.

On September 7, NZTA enacted a bylaw allowing EVS to use 11 priority bypass lanes on state highways in Auckland on a 12 month trial, which included transit lanes and motorway on-ramps.

NZTA safety and environment director Harry Wilson said the lanes were expected to open to EVS by the end of September. Drivers must check signage to ensure they are eligible to use the special vehicle lane, he said.

This was the second bylaw trial of its kind in Auckland this year. In March, NZTA ran a two week trial allowing EVS access to five priority lanes.

American electric car giant Tesla was preparing to open its first New Zealand retail store and service centre at 501 Karangahape Rd, Auckland. The official opening date was yet to be confirmed.