Plug in, turn on, drive off
Is electricity the future for our cars, trucks and lorries? The government thinks so. This week sees the launch of a multi-million dollar campaign to encourage the switch.
Renewable energy generator Meridian has hinted it could announce special tariffs for electric car charging this week, to help drive the uptake of electric vehicles in New Zealand.
The company said it would also be getting involved in the country’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Meridian’s formal announcement will be made on Friday to tie in with a string of events around the country, which have been arranged as part of International Drive Electric Week.
The company recently announced a partnership with New Zealand’s first electric car share scheme Mevo, in Wellington.
A multi-million dollar Government fund to get more people driving electric vehicles will also be opened up for bids his week.
Transport Minister Simon Bridges said the Low Emissions Contestable Fund would have around $4 million to $5m available this year – climbing to $6m in 2017.
It is due to be officially launched on Wednesday, and will provide funding to businesses and organisations which come up with ways to boost the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs).
Running alongside it is a fiveyear information campaign designed to educate Kiwis about electric vehicles, which will include community events, a website, TV advertising and other information about how to buy and charge up electric vehicles ranging from cars to lorries, trucks and even bicycles.
The Government has set a target to double the number of electric vehicles on New Zealand roads each year to reach 64,000 by 2021 – and businesses are a big target.
Bridges said the Government wants to build ‘‘massive momentum’’ around electric vehicles.
‘‘We want everyone from big business to individuals getting a better appreciation of how fast, quiet, efficient and attractive they are,’’ he said.
‘‘EVs are powered by our abundant renewable electricity supply and they’ll reduce the amount of emissions that come from the country’s vehicle fleet.’’
The possibility of reducing fringe benefit tax on EVs to create a level playing field with standard vehicles was being considered.
‘‘Currently the tax is calculated on the basis of cost relative to the whole of life of the vehicle.
‘‘EVs tend to be more expensive because of the technology, But the long term costs are lower.’’
Some of New Zealand’s key businesses including power company Mercury, Air New Zealand, Spark and Westpac, have already announced they are swapping some or all of their conventional petrol-powered fleet vehicles to EVs.
Fraser Whineray, chief executive of Mercury – the rebranded Mighty River Power – said he had written to 85 business bosses at the start of the year, encouraging them to switch to electric vehicles.
‘‘It is not just about cutting costs, but doing what is best for the country as a whole,’’ said Whineray, who is part of the government’s electric vehicle leadership group.
‘‘Businesses have to think of the health of the nation and also the country’s energy sovereignty. We can generate lots of renewable electricity in New Zealand. We would not have to rely on other countries for the energy supply to our fleet.’’