Businesses can book an electric car at New Zealand’s three main airports

Regular business flyers going to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch for day trips can now book a Volkswagen e-Golf for their day’s travel.

The initiative is aimed at “normalising” electric vehicle (EV) technology and testing the public’s desire to go electric, The New Zealand Herald reports.

Europcar and Volkswagen New Zealand have teamed up with the airports at the three main cities for the Electric Day Pass (EDP) programme.

By registering with the programme for $150, an organisation can nominate up to five key members to use the five-seat e-Golf free from three of New Zealand’s busiest airports between Monday and Friday.

Apart from initial registration, there’s no fees involved and no limit on the number of trips a driver can book.
The keys are collected at the Europcar desk and the cars are picked up from, and dropped back to, prime parking spots.

Corporates, including Icebreaker and AMP, have already signed up.

Those behind the year’s programme say it is designed to show “leadership around the future of motoring”, while helping corporates get involved in a sustainability exercise and reduce carbon footprints.

Europcar New Zealand general manager Stephen Jones says the scheme will give them a chance to get feedback on the technology with a view to introducing EVs to their fleet.

“People are increasingly aware of their carbon footprint and are taking a proactive approach to reducing it,” he says.
“This is a natural step for us as we evolve with the market and develop green-friendly motoring solutions.”

The e-Golf has a “real driving range” of 150km, increasing to about 220km this year with the introduction of a new version.

It uses a 134hp 100 kWh electric motor powered by a 35.8 kWh lithium-ion battery.

There are now more than 60 fast charging stations around New Zealand, which is becoming a world leader in the electric car market, Volkswagen New Zealand’s Scott Kelsey says.

Christchurch International Airport’s Rhys Boswell says the scheme fits with its target of cutting carbon emissions by at least 20% by 2025.

It has been trialling New Zealand’s first fully autonomous EV, a driverless shuttle to ferry 15 passengers.

Visit here

to register for the programme.