Europcar NZ adds more EVs

Europcar New Zealand has expanded its permanent fleet of Volkswagen e-Golfs from 10 to 15.

That follows the success of its Electric Day Pass pilot programme in 2018.

Europcar aims to be the car rental leader in the emerging EV market, as well as an advocate for their use.

It is offering EVs for private, leisure and business rentals at its Auckland Airport, Christchurch Airport and Wellington Airport locations, with the e-Golf also available in Dunedin for bookings from March 22.

Last year, business travellers could register to receive one day’s free use of a VW e-Golf when travelling to Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch, to trial the vehicles.

“We used the Electric Day Pass programme as a way to test the waters and gauge perceptions about EVs with our business customers. We found out very quickly that there is a strong demand for electric vehicles to be available permanently in our fleet,” Europcar New Zealand general manager Stephen Jones says.

“Customers loved how easy the EVs were to use, the fact they didn’t have to worry about petrol, and how long the battery lasted. An e-Golf’s single charge lasts around 220km – more than enough for most city running around.”

Europcar’s e-Golfs are 100% electric and have class leading safety features, including active cruise control, blind spot detection, lane departure warning, pre-crash and city braking technology.

The e-Golf is similar in performance to a regular VW Golf but has quicker acceleration with 290Nm of torque available.

“The main point of difference is that it’s whisper-quiet in operation,” Jones says.

New Zealand’s fast charging network is improving with more than 158 stations operating and a number under construction.

Visit www.europcar.co.nz/electric-vehicles

for more information.