Christchurch revealing a raft of electric initiatives

The first announcements around electric transport coming out of Christchurch include park rangers now riding UBCO electric bikes.

A keen promoter of more environmentally friendly initiatives, the Christchurch City Council is also revealing its all-electric LDV EV80 van for central city parks maintenance, stocked with battery electric tools and equipment.

Renewable energy expert Gary Freedman of Electric Air plans to bring the country’s first commercial electric aircraft to Christchurch for tourist flights, pilot training and private hire. The Slovenian made Pipistrel two-seater can fly for an hour on a single charge. The council is being asked to help fund its transportation from Europe and discussions are being held with Christchurch Airport about basing and charging the aircraft there.

Canterbury is also home to pilot-less electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) Cora aircraft trials through Zephyr Airworks.

A further announcement on an electric initiative relating to the local air industry is also expected shortly.

Meanwhile, Red Bus Christchurch will reveal its new electric buses this month.

Back to the electrified park rangers, now zipping around Christchurch city’s regional parks on two Kiwi-made UBCO battery electric motorbikes instead of using traditional fossil-fuelled quad bikes.

The new zero-emission bikes can operate off-road and on road, have 120km range, and are being used at Bottle Lake Forest, Spencer Park and Travis Wetland reserves. The bikes can carry tools for routine parks maintenance and can also be used to recharge tools in the field.

Council regional parks manager Kay Holder says one of the most obvious benefits of using the bikes is the lack of noise so they do not disrupt people who are enjoying cycling or walking.

The council also bought an LDV EV80 van with up to 170km range which parks staff began using last year for central city parks maintenance.

Council team leader heritage and central city gardens Nicky Brown says the electric van has many advantages over a traditional petrol vehicle, including quietness, minimal vibration, reducing pollution and no down-time for gassing up like a conventional vehicle.

The van and charging equipment were bought with funding support from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

Council resource efficiency manager Kevin Crutchley says the zero emission mobility and equipment initiatives the council has implemented illustrate the benefits of battery electric technology for commercial use.

“It also demonstrates our commitment to implement initiatives to meet the council’s target to be net carbon neutral by 2030 for its activities,” he says.

In April, the council launched a Take Charge Christchurch programme – a battery electric, zero emission, vehicle outreach programme for Christchurch businesses and the public.