Video: CentrePort rolls out electric transfer vehicles

Wellington’s CentrePort has become the first port in New Zealand to commission fully electric vehicles for land-based container transfers. 

It has deployed seven French-designed and manufactured Gaussin transfer vehicles and trailers with funding from New Zealand Green Investment Finance (NZGIF).

Each unit is capable of moving two 20-foot containers and has a towing capacity of 75 tonnes.

CentrePort chief executive Derek Nind says the vehicles are helping the port reach its target of reducing carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 and an ultimate aim of net zero emissions by 2040.

“The Gaussin vehicles also deliver other business benefits including supply chain efficiencies and lower running costs. 

“That’s good for our customers as well as the environment,” Nind says. 

The electric units replace diesel vehicles and will reduce carbon emissions by 230 tonnes per annum – around 8% of the port’s annual emissions.

It’s hoped the technology will provide a good example for other port companies and businesses to follow. 

In June 2020, NZGIF committed $15 million to the facility in support of CentrePort’s decarbonisation and regeneration plans. 

It aims to ensure that lower carbon projects stayed high on the priority list, NZGIF chief executive Craig Weise says. 

“It is gratifying to see the fruits of our investment in this ground-breaking first for New Zealand. 

“The recent Climate Change Commission advice highlighted that change needs to occur across all sectors of New Zealand’s economy. 

“CentrePort’s ambitious decarbonisation programme, including these new vehicles, shows that decarbonisation can take many innovative forms,” Weise says. 

The NZGIF green credit facility is also financing a range of other initiatives at CentrePort. This includes the reintroduction of rail carrying containers directly onto port after a gap of four years due to damage caused by the Kaikōura earthquake and reducing truck movements onto the port.

Technical specifications of the electric transfer vehicles:

• Towing Capacity: 75 tonnes
• Length: 5.9 metres
• Width: 2.55 metes
• Height: 3.55 metres
• Maximum speed: 35 km/h
• Maximum speed fully loaded: 24 km/h
• Battery pack: Solid state battery Lithium Metal Polymer with eight-year life cycle.
• Battery capability: 12 hours pulling full loads