The EVent EV industry conference kicks off

Electrifying conservations are set to continue at the EVs and Beyond Conference on Waiheke Island on April 12 and 13.

The first session attended by about 77 people representing many aspects of the e-mobility industry heard from Climate Change Commission chief scientist Grant Blackwell about its draft advice on decarbonising the transport industry.

Blackwell says the commission is wading through some 15,500 submissions before finalising its first report to the Government in May with the first raft of decisions and policies expected from the Government by the end of this year.

Electric ferry representatives were next up, Welington’s East by West Ferries managing director Jeremy Ward saying its first e-ferry built by subsidiary the Wellington Electric Boat Building Company is expected on the water shortly.

A 300kW Hypercharger is being provided by ChargeNet NZ for shore-based charging of the e-ferry, Ward adding that ideally charging should eventually be around 15 minutes to coincide with ferry turnaround times.

He says keen interest is being shown in the project – including from overseas – with transport minister Michael Wood among recent visitors.

E-ferries must be lightweight, so the company even built its own carbon fibre battery housings for the many Xalt batteries needed, which Xalt wants the Kiwi company to provide for similar overseas ventures.

Charging for e-ferries was outlined by Liz Yeaman of Retyna consulting who says each country tends to have its own charging system including floating storage and charging platforms.

She says shore charging for the Wellington e-ferry also has to take into account wharf aesthetics – especially near restaurants and cafes – heritage and more.

Michael Eaglen of EV Maritime talked about moves to develop electric ferry services in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf which has three ferry service operators.

He says customers’ needs such as transporting e-bikes on ferries also have to be considered as many use them not just to get to ferries but to continue on their journey.

One of the biggest impacts from councils is “influence” or leadership to show visible climate action and to support cleaner, quieter transport, Eaglen explains.

Discussion included whether assistance could be provided for e-ferries along the same lines as the money available for e-buses.

The Clean Car Import Standard and its impact on the New Zealand fleet and sales was covered by consultant Phill Haynes who expects incentives to support the switch to EVs will be needed, possibly some suggested next year.

“It’s been all stick and no carrots – we need more carrots,” he says.

Haynes believes more fine tuning of the proposed standard is needed to make it work.