Christmas present expected for some EV advocates

Allocation of about $4 million for round five of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority administered low emission vehicles contestable fund is likely to be known by the end of 2018.

An independent moderating panel is working through 82 applications seeking a total $14m.

“It’s the largest pot we’ve been able to offer so far,” fund manager Camilla Cochrane says.

The fund normally provides up to $7m annually. That figure was initially available over two funding rounds this financial year ($4m was allocated in the fourth round), but this has been bolstered by funds previously allocated to successful projects that came in under budget to make $8m for the year.

Funding submissions for the latest round closed on September 19 with up to 50% funding for suitable projects offered.

The round focussed on projects supporting development of the charging network and EV charging stations in priority locations, facilitating the scaling-up of low emission vehicle (LEV) technology enabling the demonstration and uptake of light and heavy LEVs and associated technologies, encouraging EV technology innovation (where vehicle-to-grid and smart charging potentially result in reductions to peak electricity demand) and supporting development of EV maintenance, repair and other support services.

Visit eeca.govt.nz for more information.