Award for EV transition tech

Another international award has come for Wellington-based Critchlow Geospatial with its SwitchMyFleet tool for EV transition winning the SIBA|GITA Award for Technical Excellence at the 2022 Asia-Pacific Spatial Excellence Awards in Canberra, Australia.

SwitchMyFleet is a free online evaluation tool for businesses considering switching their commercial vehicle fleet to electric power.

It combines the physics of moving vehicles, New Zealand geospatial data and route optimisation algorithms to balance time, distance and energy use.

The tool was specifically developed to overcome the immense informational complexity challenges that commercial fleet operators face when planning the transition to electric with a simple easy-to-use interface, the company says.

“With the release of the Government’s Emissions Reduction plan highlighting the critical importance of reducing transport emissions, it’s a timely win and reminder of how innovation will be a key driver of success in reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.”

SwitchMyFleet was developed by Critchlow Geospatial with New Zealand Government co-funding through the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund (LEVCF) administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

“It’s a real pleasure to comment on another momentous win for Critchlow Geospatial,” says EECA transport portfolio manager Richard Briggs.

“The transport sector provides the single largest opportunity to improve New Zealand’s energy productivity and reduce energy-related emissions.

“It’s tools such as SwitchMyFleet that will enable this sector to more quickly and confidently transition from ICE to electric vehicles, so that they can realise cost savings, reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and help accelerate the decarbonisation of New Zealand.”

SwitchMyFleet and Critchlow Geospatial were named the global winner of the Location-Based Services category at the Geospatial World Innovation Awards 2021 in Amsterdam.

They also won the Technical Excellence category at the New Zealand Spatial Excellence Awards in Wellington in February 2022.

“Personally, I’m thrilled that the efforts of our team have been recognised once again with this (latest) international award,” says Critchlow Group managing director Steve Critchlow.

“When we designed SwitchMyFleet, we did so with a clear view to helping NZ fleet operators ‘right size’ their EV fleets to make the path to transition from internal combustion engines easier, but we also knew that there was huge potential in bringing a successful solution to international markets as well,” he explains.

“It also perfectly highlights and showcases the kind of innovative thinking and solutions that Critchlow Geospatial can provide when it comes to preparing for our low carbon future.”