Record investment in low emissions vehicles

Low emission transport will receive a more than $11 million record boost, energy and resources minister Megan Woods says.

“Today I’m announcing the largest round of new funding from the Government’s Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund yet,” Woods says from Ngai Tahu Tourism in Christchurch, which gets $139,000 towards seven public ChargeNet NZ fast-charging stations at five key tourist destinations.

“Thirty-one exciting new low emissions transport projects will share over $11 million of funding to help more Kiwis make use of new transport technology.

“This funding is made up of $4.3 million of government co-funding and $7.3 million of funds from the private sector.”

Woods says the latest funding round focuses on innovative projects that expand the use and possibilities of electric vehicles and other low emissions technology in the transport space.

“It’s about making new technology available to help Kiwis get around, lower our carbon emissions and contribute to our economy.

“From 100% electric campervans for tourists to hydrogen fuel cell powered buses at the Ports of Auckland to solar panel charged electric vehicles and trial of smart chargers in people’s homes, we’re backing new technologies that will make a difference.”

Woods says a further 34 new public EV charging spaces are being funded right around New Zealand, including several at South Island tourism hot-spots.

“This is about creating a truly national infrastructure of EV charging so that all major trips around our country are available to EV users.

“This is by far the biggest round of new projects delivered by the fund.”

Each previous round has approved 14 to 18 projects compared with 31 for this fifth round.

The fund has committed $17.2 million in government funding to 93 projects in total. This is matched by over $45 million applicant funding.

“Transport is responsible for about 18% of New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions, so one of the most effective ways for us to help tackle climate change is to transition our fossil-fuelled transport fleet to run on clean, renewable energy sources,” Woods says.

“By helping to roll out that technology to more people than ever, today’s announcement helps more Kiwis cut their transport emissions.”

The latest round includes help with installing public fast chargers in many locations, switching fleets to electric, a demonstration “garage of the future”, electric trucks and vans, a Ports of Auckland hydrogen project, a Vector “vehicle-to-home” trial in Piha, Auckland, and VTNZ battery and charging testing.

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