E-mobility a winner in first funding round

Twenty-four out of 110 applications for innovative transport solutions have been approved in the initial $4.2 million of the $15m innovation fund Hoe ki angitu.

And e-mobility features heavily on the list of successful applicants to the fund launched in June by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to help accelerate the development of solutions to challenges facing the land transport system.

“The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, greener, and more efficient for now and future generations to come,” says transport minister Michael Wood.

“However, we know we can’t solve some the challenges we face alone, that’s why we went looking for Kiwi ingenuity to help find solutions to some of our global transport challenges.”

Applicants had to respond to three key challenges – accelerating the use of recycled materials and sustainable practices, integrating low emission first and last-mile travel solutions, and providing under-served communities with greater access to transport options.

“Kiwi innovators from the private sector, research institutions, communities, iwi and universities have stepped up to these challenges, with an exciting range of new ideas,” says Wood.

“Successful applications include the use recycled textile fibres in different types of asphalt ($182,000), the pilot of a small micromobility hub at Auckland’s Panmure Station ($508,000) with a network of mini hubs in the surrounding neighbourhood, and a ‘lease to buy’ e-bike trial ($206,000) offering low-cost e-bikes or e-bike conversions to people who are underserved.”

About $100,000 is also provided for a community-driven accessible transport trial in Eastern Bay of Plenty to support seniors as well as people with disabilities by increasing access to shared transport options in their local community.

Some $156,000 is earmarked for the development of a ‘total cost of journey’ calculator, to build and prototype a logic-based system that presents people with information about their travel choices comparing the costs and environmental impacts of private vehicle versus public transport use.

A further $41,000 is for a trial of e-scooter rental and recharging on electric buses – providing e-scooters for rental by coach passengers and the conversion of existing zero-emissions commuting coaches to include e- scooter charging capability as a first and last mile zero- emissions solution.

Wood says innovation is one of the pillars of New Zealand’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) to drive forward new and quicker ways to respond to the challenges faced in the land transport sector.

The successful applicants will also be supported by Waka Kotahi NZTA with access to data, transport expertise, help to navigate land transport regulation, and support with real-world testing of solutions.

The micromobility hub at Auckland’s Panmure Station includes e-scooters and e-bikes, secured bike parking with power outlets for charging and high-visibility wayfinding and a network of mini hubs in the surrounding neighbourhood.

The project is expected to be further outlined and expanded on November 25 at an invite-only launch by Big Street Bikers and its chair Sir Bob Harvey, Wood, and Mercury.

“It’s really pleasing to see the announcement, the challenge fund represents a new channel for collaboration between government, industry, and academic researchers,” says Intelligent Transport Systems New Zealand (ITSNZ) executive Simon McManus.

“Both funding for trials and greater collaboration is something that ITSNZ and many of our members have been calling for. To see that there were well over 100 applicants in the first round demonstrates the huge appetite from innovators in transport, mobility, technology and engineering.”

McManus says big transport challenges such as climate change, emissions reduction and Vision Zero require urgent progress while at a micro-level the network and eco-system have diverse challenges.

“Therefore it’s imperative that we develop and trial solutions for these situations, which often have regional nuances,” he explains.

“We are anticipating that the fund will help to develop and prove innovative solutions with genuine impact to accelerate better transport outcomes. We are hopeful that the successes will lead to greater funding and collaboration pathways in the future.”

Successful funding applicants are listed here and include Ohmio Automotion ($151,111) for its autonomous vehicle testing.

​​​​​​​A second round of challenges will be announced this month – click here for more information.