$3.9m to aid rollout of electric vehicles
Student mechanics will be able to get a qualification in electric vehicle maintenance and repair thanks to a new government grant.
Energy Minister Megan Woods announced $3.874 million in funding for 20 new low-emission vehicle projects through the third round of a contestable fund begun by the previous government.
All applicants matched or exceeded the funding with their own investment.
The largest single chunk of money goes to freight group CODA: $500,000 to develop a 58-tonne fully electric truck to shuttle dairy products between the Te Rapa dairy factory in Hamilton and a railway hub.
‘‘Projects like this are vital to show others in the heavy logistics and transport industry that electric trucks are not only viable but have very low running costs,’’ Woods said.
‘‘The projects we are funding show there’s an [electric vehicle] for almost every job or use in New Zealand, be it delivering fruit and vege or taking a holiday.’’
Foodstuffs North and South Island branches will receive more than $800,000 for charging infrastructure in supermarkets.
Woods said much of the charging infrastructure would go towards the regions, where it was sorely needed.
‘‘New Zealand sells itself to the world as a clean green paradise. I think one of the things that people will be attracted to is the ability to do their trip in a sustainable way.
‘‘It’s making sure we’re not just having charging stations in our cities.’’
In a significant change from the fund’s previous policy, $95,000 would be allocated to the Motor Industry Training Organisation to develop a qualifications framework
Just under half of the funded projects relate to charging infrastructure.
for mechanics working on electric vehicles.
The previous and current Government aimed to double the number of electric vehicles every year to reach 64,000 by 2022 – about 2 per cent of the country’s fleet.
On the campaign trail, Labour promised to slowly make the public sector car-fleet fully electric by requiring new purchases to be electric.
Woods said she was working through how this could be done but there were some existing contracts that had to be respected.
She said large fleet purchases were key to getting electric vehicles in the hands of Kiwis everywhere as ‘‘most Kiwis buy their cars second-hand.’’
Just under half of the funded projects relate to charging infrastructure, including the development of charging stations in Wilsons car parks and at Cloudy Bay Vineyards.
CHLOE WINTER
Trade Me is banning the sale of three breeds of dog which suffer from a severe breathing condition.
From March 1, pugs, british bulldogs and french bulldogs will be banned for sale on Trade Me. This includes purebreds and crossbreeds, which all suffer from brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS).
The New Zealand Veterinary Association has described the life of these flat-faced breeds as like ‘‘spending your whole day trying to breathe through a pillow’’.
In May, the association called for Kiwi dog lovers to think again before joining the rush to own trendy breeds, like pugs and french bulldogs.
Errol Tooth, from Pokeno, has been breeding and showing french bulldogs for 30 years.
Tooth was pleased with the Trade Me ban, and said established, responsible breeders did not sell their puppies on Trade Me.
‘‘A lot of people get into breeding these dogs for the money that they can fetch on Trade Me but they’re not worried about the dog’s health.
‘‘There are a lot of unhealthy ones coming from puppy farms,’’ Tooth said.
‘‘Hopefully it will reduce the numbers of puppy farms. It could be a good thing.’’
In a blog post, Trade Me said the decision was not made lightly. ‘‘We know how popular and well loved these breeds are, however, we cannot, in good conscience, allow the sale of these animals any further.
‘‘We operate under the mantra that Trade Me is for life, and we think that same consideration should be extended to man’s best friend. We know this isn’t going to stop these dogs being bred, but we can’t in good conscience allow the sale of these animals to continue on our site.’’
Animals suffering from clinically significant BOAS can struggle to breathe during exercise and may suffer collapse due to lack of air.
‘‘There’s now a worldwide trend to reduce the popularity of these breeds,’’ Trade Me said.
The ban would affect about 40 breeders from listing on Trade Me each month, it said. The dogs can still be adopted on Trade Me.
SPCA chief executive Andrea Midgen said these dogs deserved better.
‘‘Pugs, british bulldogs and french bulldogs are lovely little dogs but their exaggerated physical features caused them considerable welfare issues.
‘‘For those New Zealanders looking for a new addition to their family, we ask that you instead consider adopting one of the thousands of rescue dogs who are looking for homes.’’
New Zealand Veterinary Association chief executive Mark Ward said vets had long held concerns for many breeds of cats and dogs, whose welfare was compromised from being bred to look a certain way.
‘‘Without correctional surgery, large numbers of these dogs live with chronic pain and distress, with many owners and breeders unaware their dog is suffering.’’