FUSO AND HYUNDAI GET LEVCF FUNDING

The Government is giving more support to clean up how New Zealanders move around with approval for 22 new low-emission transport projects. Two of these include funding to Fuso and Hyundai Motors New Zealand, for electric and hydrogen demonstration trucks, respectively.

Fuso New Zealand will purchase and fit out a 100% electric truck for extended test drives by potential customers. It will also carry out a one-year e-truck trial of five electric trucks and chargers with major transport companies in the proposed Auckland Transport

Queen Valley Zero Emissions Area.

Hyundai New Zealand will purchase and deploy five zeroemission hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks.

The purpose of the Contestable Fund is to encourage innovation and investment that will accelerate the uptake of low emission vehicles in New Zealand. In 2020/21, up to $6.5 million in grant funding is available across two funding rounds.

The Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund (LEVCF) will contribute $3.7 million to the projects, with the 22 recipients contributing a total of $9.4 million. The fund is administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

One of the Fuso eCanters will be used to build transport industry awareness and wider acceptance of electric trucks. The other five will be used by transport operators in Auckland Transport’s Queen Street Valley Zero Emissions Area. The ZEA trial will be used to develop a clearer understanding of how the integration of electric trucks will affect transport and delivery systems.

“Demonstrating and proving the potential for electric heavy vehicles is important, as heavy freight has an outsized impact on transport emissions,” noted Energy and Resources Minister, Megan Woods.