Genesis makes global EV commitment

Genesis Energy has joined The Climate Group’s EV100 initiative of companies globally committed to switching their fleets to electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions.

The New Zealand energy company plans to convert every car in its light vehicle fleet to electric or hybrid by 2020, with the same ambition for half its heavy vehicle fleet by 2025.

Genesis joined EV100 during COP24 on December 10, a UN climate change conference in Poland.

In New Zealand, the transport sector accounts for 18% of carbon emissions. Globally, the sector is the fastest growing contributor to climate change with businesses owning more than half of all registered vehicles.

Introducing fleet electric vehicles offers an opportunity to curb greenhouse gas emissions along with air and noise pollution. It also increases the number of low-emissions vehicles in the New Zealand second-hand-car market.

The Genesis fleet comprises 86 light vehicles smaller than 3500kg and 82 heavy vehicles, such as LPG delivery trucks.

Genesis has already converted almost half of its light vehicles to hybrid or fully electric vehicles, including the addition of three Hyundai Konas in November.

In 2019, Genesis will introduce charging stations for EVs at its Hamilton and Christchurch corporate offices to encourage staff and customers to charge their own cars on site.

Genesis will also install three chargers at its Tuai, Tokaanu and Tekapo generation sites.

Joining the EV100 was a logical next step, following the release in August of Genesis’ Sustainability Framework which included a goal around EV transition, Genesis chief executive officer Marc England says. Genesis’ vehicle electrification plans featured in EVtalk’s September magazine.

“We recognise that climate change is a global challenge that requires international collaboration, which motivated us to join the EV100 group,” England says. “In New Zealand, we have a unique carbon emissions profile where 85% of what we generate comes from renewable sources. That means our electric cars will be mostly powered by renewable energy too – an advantage we have over many other countries and one that really enables us to set an example. Our challenge is to continue to increase New Zealand’s renewable energy generation to adjust for demand from electric vehicles.”

The Climate Group’s chief executive officer Helen Clarkson says “it’s fantastic to see another New Zealand company step up on electric transport”.