Electric trucks and buses are getting a boost as part of the Government’s latest round of funding.
Energy and resources minister Megan Woods announced an investment of $4.3 million matched by $7.3m from the private sector in the latest round of Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund.
The 31 targeted projects include commercial fleets in major organisations Foodstuffs New Zealand, TR Group, Ports of Auckland, ContainerCo (NZL) Ltd, cleaning service PPCS and Alsco NZ.
It’s the biggest round of new projects delivered by the fund to date.Each previous round has given the green light to between 14 and 18 projects.In total, the fund has committed $17.2 million in government funding to 93 projects.This is matched by over $45m applicant funding.
“Thirty-one exciting new low emissions transport projects will share over $11 million of funding to help more Kiwis make use of new transport technology,” Woods says.
“This round of funding focuses on innovative projects that expand the use and possibilities of electric vehicles and other low emissions technology in the transport space.
It’s about making new technology available to help Kiwis get around, lower our carbon emissions and contribute to our economy.
“From 100% electric campervans for tourists to hydrogen fuel cell powered buses at the Ports of Auckland to solar panel charged electric vehicles and trial of smart chargers in people’s homes, we’re backing new technologies that will make a difference.
“We’re also funding a further 34 new public charging spaces for electric vehicles right around New Zealand, including several at South Island tourism hot-spots.
This is about creating a truly national infrastructure of EV charging so that all major trips around our country are available to EV users.
“Transport is responsible for about 18% of New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions, so one of the most effective ways for us to help tackle climate change is to transition our fossil-fuelled transport fleet to run on clean, renewable energy sources.
By helping to roll out that technology to more people than ever, today’s announcement helps more Kiwis cut their transport emissions,” Woods says.
TR Group is purchasing three electric trucks through the fund.
The truck and trailer leasing firm has received $350,000 to purchase three 4×2 curtainsider freight trucks and make them available for hire to transport operators.
The 11-tonne gross vehicle mass vehicles will feature tail lifts and are aimed at the local pick-up and delivery market.
In conjunction with EECA’s support, TR Group aims to increase the uptake of electric trucks in New Zealand by providing transport operators easy and risk-free access to trial and learn about the technology.
TR Group is focused on providing competitive access to electric vehicles while the long-term economic viability for heavy commercial electric trucks in New Zealand is established.
The company is also developing preventative maintenance programmes and servicing schedules for electric vehicles.
TR Group general manager Brendan King says the company is using its “very strong position in the transport industry”.
“Because of this position we believe we have a responsibility to show leadership and help the industry evolve with this type of technology.
“This means taking risks on their behalf and doing the learning about electric trucks – how they work, what are the pitfalls, what are the advantages, and how to make the most of them.This is what we intend to do.”
TR Group managing director Andrew Carpenter says the trial of electric trucks would not be possible without the support of EECA.
“We are incredibly excited about the potential positive impact that electric trucks can have in the heavy commercial vehicle sector and look forward to working with our customers to prove out their long-term economic viability and of course their positive impact on our environment.”
Foodstuffs New Zealand will use nearly $1 million in funding for three new electric vehicle projects which include four heavy EV trucks.
“In a New Zealand first, product deliveries to selected stores will be now be made by four new Isuzu Electric trucks in Auckland and Christchurch,” company sustainability manager Mike Sammons says.
The two six-tonne and two 11-tonne trucks follow the successful trial of 28 full electric delivery vans already deployed – which have clocked up more than 200,000km and saved 37 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
The electric truck project receives $379,600 from the Government’s low emission vehicles contestable fund, administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).
The other two grants of $416,000 and $154,240 go to the installation of seven 50kW and five 25kW public fast chargers at about 12 North Island Pak’nSave and New World stores and four 50kW chargers at South Island supermarkets respectively.
Foodstuffs already hosts 48 fast charge EV stations at its supermarkets throughout New Zealand and will now roll out another 16 fast chargers to total 64.
Sammons says the Government fund plays an important role in helping business get into carbon-reducing technology and proving the case for more widespread adoption.
“The co-funding has supported our partnership with Blackwells Isuzu and SEA Electric for our trucks, and our long-term collaboration with ChargeNet NZ for our store-based chargers.”
Sammons says consumers are increasingly getting into EVs and need a network to help make the transition.
“It makes perfect sense for our supermarkets to host fast chargers which customers can use while they shop.
Time is the one commodity we’re all running short of, so combining two jobs is a winner for our customers.”
Foodstuffs will start installing the new chargers in coming weeks and the four electric delivery trucks will arrive mid-2019.
Ports of Auckland is receiving $250,000 as part of its hydrogen fuel demonstration project together with its partners Auckland Transport, Auckland Council and KiwiRail.
It will procure hydrogen fuel cell vehicles with EECA funding going toward one bus and up to three cars that will be used and tested as part of the wider hydrogen demonstration project in Auckland.
The project is reliant on the completion of Ports of Auckland’s separately-funded hydrogen plant project, which is expected to be completed in December 2019.
The project will be undertaken in collaboration with project partners with each party testing the viability of the fuel cell vehicles for their needs.
Ports of Auckland hydrogen project manager Rosie Mercer says the part-funding is welcome news.
“Collaboration is key to the success of a project like this, which is breaking new ground in an effort to stem climate change.
That is why we’re working with Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, KiwiRail and Arup.
Having government support as well is a real boost.”
Auckland Transport bus services manager Darek Koper says AT is very excited about the possibilities of hydrogen power for the city’s buses.
“This ties into our Low Emission Bus Roadmap and commitment to clean technology.
It could be part of the answer, along with electricity, for our buses and is also a possible energy source for harbour ferries.”
Alsco will receive $50,126 to invest in an electric vehicle freighter as part of an electric vehicle feasibility trial for its long haul commercial fleet.
The freighter will run daily on the Rotorua/Tauranga and Rotorua/Taupo routes – around 286km a day.This will be the first intercity heavy electric vehicle trial in New Zealand.
Alsco will take steps to manage the new technology, allowing an hour’s charging at each depot and altered driver hours.
The trial will run from July 2019 – July 2020.
ContainerCo will use its $99,700 funding to introduce an electric heavy vehicle to its logistics terminals in Auckland and Tauranga to move shipping containers to port, rail and customers.
These routes operate through dense urban areas during the day with peak traffic.
By introducing electric heavy vehicles into this section of the supply chain, ContainerCo could convert a significant percentage of the container movements in Auckland and Tauranga to electric, reducing noise and emissions.
PPCS will use $178,550 in funding to buy a 10 square metre electric rubbish truck to service Wellington City Council for 40 housing sites, covering 3000-4000 residences.
Replacing a diesel truck, this will be the first fully electric rubbish truck in Wellington.
PPCS sees the electric truck as a major step towards their target of replacing 70% of their fleet of 60 vehicles by 2025, based in locations from Whangarei to Christchurch.
