Stink bug treatment not expected to damage EVs

Heat treatment and other methods of killing pest stink bugs hitch-hiking in vehicles from Japan are unlikely to damage electric vehicles on affected ships, experts say.

While the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) says heat treatment may cause damage to EVs, those in the EV industry say that’s very unlikely.

The EVs are designed to withstand temperature extremes in many countries, GVI general manager Hayden Johnston says.

He believes any temperature treatment wouldn’t exceed thresholds the vehicles are designed for.

About 20 EVs have already come off affected ships with no damage or smell from treatment. A further 57 are to come off the Tokyo Car, currently being unloaded, 110 off the next few ships and 60 off the Dream Orchid, Johnston says.

Henry Schmidt of Autolink Cars also doubts any problems will be caused to EVs by temperature treatment. He’s unaware of what temperatures are used for treatment and for how long, but says the EVs are designed for extreme climates anyway.

A joint working group of industry and government officials seeking ways of combatting the brown marmorated stink bug and other insects found in some vehicles shipped from Japan is considering freezing, along with fumigation using sulfuryl fluoride or methyl bromide, or fogging with insecticide – combined with intensive border checks.

The stink bug could hit the New Zealand economy to the tune of $4 billion if it establishes here.