EV supply unaffected by latest delays

EV dealerships are not expecting any issues from continuing COVID-19 restrictions overseas, especially with France in a three-week lockdown, or the Suez Canal ship blockage.

Although some say it could take time for any shortages to affect supply lines, much depending on what happens at various ports.

Talk has centred around the nearly week-long Suez Canal stranding of giant cargo carrier Ever Given (aka Evergreen), blocking the canal and causing billions of dollars in damage to the global economy with every passing day.

That prompted many ships to wait or divert.

Then came France’s new lockdown and continuing concern the pandemic is far from over in spite of continued vaccine roll outs.

Parts vital for vehicles like semi-conductors may take longer to reach destinations, but EV dealerships here are not expecting delays or issues from any of the latest crises.

Hayden Johnston of the Genuine Vehicle Imports Group (including GVI Electric) says he has placed a large order with a couple of its UK suppliers “and they don’t seem to be bothered or concerned and both mentioned a good supply of brand new EVs in the pipeline”.

Hadley Hargadon of Auckland City Electric Vehicles expects EVs will be better off than their ICE counterparts.

He believes flow on effects from the French three-week lockdown and the Suez Canal ship blockage may have some impact later in the general automotive industry, but that’s unlikely to be on the second-hand EV supply chain.

Hargadon says port delays are proving more a concern.

He says ACEV has plenty of stock to meet the growing EV demand.

Hyundai New Zealand says that as a Kiwi-based company it’s not immune to these global disruptions, or the port delays (like any other manufacturer or distributor here in New Zealand). “We’re in regular communication with factory and logistic partners to understand any delays we may experience, so that we can minimise disruption for our dealers and customers.”