Boost to Eastland’s EV fleet

Eastland Group in Gisborne is hosting a forum to encourage more businesses to use electric vehicles.

As part of its commitment to ensuring at least 75% of its non-commercial vehicle fleet is electric by 2019, Eastland Group business development general manager Gavin Murphy says its EV fleet has increased for the second time this year, the Gisborne Herald reports.

The additions, a plug-in BMW i3 hybrid and a fully-electric Nissan Leaf, bring the group’s EVs to eight.

“We typically buy second-hand/ex demonstrator models,” Murphy says.

“Depending on the model, year and specs, a Nissan Leaf resells for $12,000-$35,000, the BMW i3 from $40,000-$60,000.”

Most of the vehicles are part of Eastland Group’s pool fleet, with staff booking and using them as required.

The two additions will be part of the group’s New Energy display at the East Coast Farming Expo on April 5-6 at the Wairoa A & P showgrounds.

Murphy hopes a meeting of businesses and taxi services next week may result in a car-share scheme with more businesses using EVs.

That could also involve the group establishing a high-powered recharging station.

In May 2016, the Government announced its Electric Vehicle Programme, a package of measures to encourage EV uptake.

The target is to double the fleet each year, reaching 64,000 EV registrations by the end of 2021.

Eastland Group will apply for funding towards establishing a local charging station network.