Vehicle imports could be disrupted by Formula E

Running the multi-million dollar Formula E electric vehicle racing series through Ports of Auckland land could create headaches for vehicle importers.

A group which has secured the rights to host the event wants to run the race through the port’s roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) terminal, which is made up of Bledisloe and Captain Cook wharves.

The port company is considering the request, but says it won’t make the decision alone.

“Closing the port’s ro-ro terminal for two or three weeks would create significant disruption for the vehicle supply chain, affecting shipping companies, trucking companies, compliance centres, car dealers and others.

“For this reason, Ports of Auckland will not make this decision alone, it will be made in partnership and consultation with industry stakeholders. Discussions are ongoing.”

The group which has secured the race rights includes ASB Classic Tournament Director Karl Budge and New Zealand Innovation Council chief executive Craig Cotton, with the Auckland event slated for late 2019 or early 2020.

“We’ve got the opportunity to host the race, so we have those rights now,” Cotton told Stuff.

“It’s ours to lose, but we now need that what is the number that Government can put into this.”

“We’ve got a number of partners signed already, so from a commercial perspective I think we’re sitting really well.”

“The mayor and deputy mayor know about it and have been very supportive, Ngāti Whātua … have been right across it.”

The Formula E series features Kiwi driver Mitch Evans and is run in cities like Paris and New York.