Nelson low emission vehicle share scheme running

A pilot subscription vehicle scheme in Nelson is being run by Bowater Toyota, with an EV and six hybrids among the 12 available.

The EV is a Lexus UX300e mid-sized SUV, offered for $30 an hour or $150 per day, with a compact Toyota hybrid offered as low as $15 an hour or $75 daily via a Toyota Mobility Project app, Bowater Toyota’s website explains.

People can book a vehicle on their phone from the wide range available (most are demonstrator vehicles used for test drives) so they can use the right one for the right purpose.

Fuel is included up to 70km on bookings two hours or less, the site adds.

All cars (except the three VIP ones available to pre-approved customers, bookings by request) are available from the onsite carpark of Bowater Toyota, 82 Achilles Ave, Wakatu Carpark, central Nelson.

Bowater Toyota says its subscription model will change the way people think about mobility overall, as customers can pay for a vehicle solely for the time they need it.

“For instance, the $500 Pack gives you 46.66 hours of use of the Toyota Raize. If you really only use your car once a week for an hour to get groceries or go to the hardware store that is nearly a whole year’s worth of mobility for just $500.”

Bowater Toyota says its new service enables people to walk, bike or take public transport into work with the knowledge they can use a car if needed, or even to tow a caravan.

It’s expected more EVs could be offered according to demand.

Other car share schemes in New Zealand include Cityhop, zero-emission Zilch, and Mevo.

Bowater Toyota is considering opening two of its EV fast-charging stations to the public (at Halifax and Vanguard streets) before Christmas, Stuff reports.

The trial could result in the Toyota Mobility Project extending to the rest of New Zealand.

“Our vision is to provide affordable and accessible mobility for all Kiwis in New Zealand that may not solely focus on ownership,” says Toyota New Zealand chief executive Neeraj Lala.

“We have been passionate about exploring multiple ways to decarbonise our mobility eco-system for the past decade and this includes through innovative mobility as a service (MaaS) projects,” he explains.

“In society, we are moving towards a world where access to mobility will be equally valuable as ownership. In this just transition, Toyota is focused on offering all low emission solutions, and a range of innovative mobility services.”

Lala says multiple mobility solutions and technologies will be needed to decarbonise transport.

“We are trialling three mobility schemes in New Zealand – two in Auckland and this Mobility Project in Nelson. Each tailored for unique customers which enables us to gather data, test the concept and implement more widely with pace.”