Growing EV presence in Auckland

EVs can soon use 11 priority special lanes on state highways in Auckland as part of a year’s trial.

NZ Transport Agency safety and environment director Harry Wilson expects the lanes to open to EVs by the end of this month.

EV owners listed on the motor vehicle register will receive an information pack about the trial, including an EV sticker for their vehicle as identification.

Drivers must check signs at the start of each lane to ensure they are eligible.

Local and regional councils will decide on a case-by-case basis whether to allow EVs on individual special vehicle lanes on local roads.

Meanwhile, Cityhop now has a sport utility vehicle (SUV) available as its second shared electric vehicle in Auckland.

The car sharing business which rents out vehicles is promising more EVs.

It currently has a fleet of about 50 fuel cars.

Auckland mayor Phil Goff says the EV movement is already running and will help reduce congestion, Stuff reports.

He uses an EV regularly.

“Every car share vehicle takes up to 13 cars off our roads and every electric vehicle is one less car sending carbon into our atmosphere,” he says.

Cityhop’s new EV will be available at the Downtown carpark – where Mercury installed the city’s first EV charging station in 2015.

Tesla is preparing to open its first New Zealand retail store and service centre at 501 Karangahape Rd, Auckland, Stuff says. The official opening has yet to be confirmed.