WrightSpeed founder shares electric journey at RTF conference

The founder of WrightSpeed and co-founder of Tesla, Ian Wright, will share his electrification journey at the October Road Transport Forum annual conference.

New Zealand-born Wright is at the forefront of electric-hybrid technology for heavy vehicles.

“Ian will offer conference delegates a window into the future of road freight transport, particularly the fast approaching transition to hybrid and electric powertrains,” says Road Transport Forum chief executive Ken Shirley.

Shirley says the global road freight sector is on the cusp of a major technological revolution and that “one of our own is leading the charge”.

“The Wrightspeed Route powertrain that Ian has developed and other systems like it, while somewhat unfamiliar to us now, are part of a technological revolution that our industry needs to get its head around pretty quickly,” says Shirley.

“Some US-based waste management and delivery organisations have begun to use Ian’s powertrains as part of their fleets, including parcel FedEx Express,” he says.

“In New Zealand Infratil has already done a $43 million deal to have Wrightspeed powertrains retrofitted to Wellington’s ageing trolley bus fleet – the first of which will be on Wellington roads by the end of the year,” says Shirley.

Economist Bernard Hickey will present his views on the state of the economy, law specialist Edward Cox will advise delegates on how best to protect their businesses from unfair terms of trade and corporate bullying and Kelly McLuckie from Success Formula will discuss fundamental changes in health and safety law.

Other speakers include Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller, rollover prevention guru Jeff Fleury, and University of Waikato’s Institute for Business Research Professor Frank Scrimgeour, who will present key industry trends in the latest operator cost comparison survey.

The conference will also address many other issues impacting the road transport industry.

The final of the 2016 New Zealand Truck Driving Championship will be held concurrently with the second day of the conference and provide an opportunity to watch some of New Zealand’s top truck drivers in action.

“The associations have done a fantastic job in arranging and running the five regional heats and the standard has been high. The final promises to be extremely competitive,” says Shirley.

The conference is an important social event that includes a networking barbecue, a Friday breakfast with award-winning comedian Urzila Carlson and the gala NZ Road Transport Industry Awards dinner hosted by 7 Days presenter Jeremy Corbett.

There is also the unique opportunity to take part in a site visit to the Port of Tauranga, Nationwide Stock Crates, Intertruck NZ or the new Paengaroa Weigh Station.

The conference will be held at Baypark, Tauranga over two days from Thursday, October 27, with Wright’s keynote address scheduled for the second day.

“Delegate registration and a few remaining sponsorship opportunities are still available. I would also encourage conference attendees to arrange accommodation as soon as possible as rooms are filling up fast,” concludes Shirley.

For further information visit rtfconference.co.nz.