ContainerCo puts NZ’s largest EV on the road

New Zealand’s largest electric heavy vehicle (eHV) is on the road moving containers between port and rail facilities in Auckland.

Container hire and sales business ContainerCo, with support from Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA), has introduced the Isuzu truck featuring Sea Electric technology.

It can carry three 20-foot containers which is up to the maximum size allowed on New Zealand roads without a permit.

ContainerCo managing Ken Harris says the electric truck marks an important step in reducing air and noise emissions.

“We operate our container hire, sales and services businesses from sites right around the country and the ability to silently and cleanly move containers to and from rail and ports in urban environments is a big step forward,” Harris says.

“We can see a lot more units in our fleet in the future as well as EV’s replacing diesel powered forklifts inside our facilities quite soon.”

ContainerCo worked in a funding partnership with the EECA, receiving $99,700 to identify an energy efficient electric truck of the right size with the ability to operate up to 15 hours before recharging.

“We are excited to welcome the first electric truck to our fleet, in partnership with EECA. It is the first step of an ambitious long term programme to prove the viability and desirability of transforming our fleet of handling and transport equipment to EV.

“ContainerCo operates facilities that handle hundreds of thousands of shipping containers around the country and with innovation we can electrify a wide range of our vehicles including forklifts, cranes, and support vehicles.

“We expect this new truck to demonstrate the opportunity to reduce environmental impacts and improve the efficiency.

“EECA’s advice and support enabled us to take this first step. More eHVs will be added to the fleet and introduced to other regions as we build experience and the charging network expands,” Harris says.