Meridian Energy boosts EVs in fleet

Half of Meridian Energy’s vehicle fleet will be electric by June 2018.

At the moment 20% of its fleet are EVs and this will increase in the future, as more models that suit the company’s diverse needs become available.

Neal Barclay, general manager for retail at Meridian says if organisations build EVs into their fleets, over time these corporate initiatives will help increase vehicle availability and affordability for everyone.

“Meridian’s role is to demonstrate the benefits of going electric.

“We’re supporting our customers that drive EVs with sharp overnight charging rates, we’re helping provide vehicle charging infrastructure and we’re working with like-minded organisations to encourage more people to experience EVs,” Barclay says.

“Everybody knows that it would be good for the environment to get more petrol cars off the road, but there has to be business value that replacement EVs provide, or the solution isn’t sustainable.”

Meridian has partnered with Hyundai to introduce the fully-electric Hyundai Ioniq to help electrify its fleet.

Hyundai New Zealand general manager Andy Sinclair says teaming up with Meridian ramps up New Zealand-market EV momentum significantly.

“We’re very pleased to be able to offer Meridian the all-new Hyundai Ioniq for their own fleet at the same time as it becomes available to the public.”