Defence gets its first EV

A Hyundai Ioniq will join the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) fleet at Trentham, where two Delta 7kW charging stations are also available for personnel to charge their private EVs.

It is part of the NZDF’s wider programme towards a more sustainable operation, which fits with the government’s drive to put more EVs on the road.

The Trentham trial will determine how many chargers might be needed, the most appropriate charging station, and how best a booking system might work – guiding the use of EV charging stations at other NZDF sites, defence estate and infrastructure sustainability manager Dr Lee Bint says.

She says the Trentham pilot is part of the NZDF’s sustainability roadmap Tuku Iho, which means “to pass on what you’ve received in at least as good as, if not better than, what you receive it in”.

As one of the biggest employers and landowners in the country, the NZDF has a huge responsibility to look after its people, buildings, land and taonga, Bint adds.

“From electric vehicles to efficient buildings, environmental stewardship and looking after our people’s growth and embracing our bicultural heritage, we want to make sustainability part of everything we do.

“We are soon to adopt a roadmap where sustainability is part of business-as-usual operations,” she says.

The NZDF estate includes 81,000 hectares, 5000 buildings and thousands of vehicles – “So we can potentially make a massive contribution to reducing the country’s carbon footprint”.

Bint says charging infrastructure is needed if the NZDF wants electric fleet vehicles.

Four electric utility bikes are being trialled for their suitability for use in the field, and electric carts are used at some bases.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force is also replacing diesel passenger stair units with fully electric units at air bases around the country.

Trentham Camp commander major Jim Maguire says a survey shows good support for the charging stations.

“A lot of our fleet vehicles are doing short trips around Wellington and EVs are perfect for that,” he says.

“The Army is adopting new technology all the time and this trial will see how EVs can be used efficiently for our tasks while lowering our carbon footprint.

“A lot of our staff are looking at buying their own EVs and having the charging stations on camp is an incentive because it offers them more flexibility about when they can charge up.”

ChargeNet NZ founder and chief executive Steve West says the company is pleased to partner with the NZDF on its sustainability initiatives.

“It’s an absolute honour to help the brave Kiwis who protect New Zealand’s interests make the switch to electric vehicles.

“By installing AC chargers at Trentham Military Camp, the NZDF joins dozens of other businesses around New Zealand offering EV charging to their employees.”

West and other ChargeNet NZ representatives are on a Better NZ Trust hosted Leading the Charge

EV road trip around the country until October 3, coinciding with International Drive Electric Week.