Vehicle rental company NHR Group has added 49 electric trucks to its fleet, marking one of the first large-scale rollouts of electric commercial vehicles available for rent in New Zealand.
The vehicles are all Fuso eCanter models and will be introduced progressively across the country, starting with five units at NHR’s Albany branch. Further vehicles will be deployed to Christchurch and Wellington, followed by Manukau, Pukekohe and Waikato locations as they come online.
Chief executive Philip Arras says the move is aimed at making low-emission transport more accessible.
“Electric commercial vehicles represent part of the future of urban transport and sustainable logistics. By making them available to rent at competitive, like-for-like pricing compared to traditional diesel vehicles, we can remove the financial barriers that often prevent businesses and the general public from accessing more sustainable transport options,” Arras says.
He says the rental model allows businesses to trial EVs before committing to fleet changes.
“Offering electric trucks through rental will allow businesses in sectors such as logistics, infrastructure, construction, and urban delivery, the opportunity to begin conversations about integrating or trialling electric vehicles in their fleets, without the significant upfront cost of ownership.”
NHR says the vehicles will be supported by charging infrastructure at its branches, alongside access to public charging via a FOB system. Customers can also be provided with charging cables for depot or home use, including three-phase and standard 10-amp options.
The trucks will be available on flexible rental terms, ranging from one-day hires through to multi-year agreements, as demand for lower-emission transport options continues to grow.
