Electric car-sharing charges into Auckland

This story first appeared in the October issue of EVtalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

A new transport alternative that might ultimately help address some of Auckland’s transport challenges is being offered by Mercury and Cityhop.

The addition of electric vehicles to Cityhop’s car-sharing platform brings together two parts of the solution to the problems caused by too much city traffic – clean electric-powered vehicles to reduce pollution and noise, and car-sharing to reduce vehicle numbers.

“Car-sharing and electric vehicles are part of the solution for decongesting Auckland and reducing pollution,” says Auckland mayor Phil Goff who drives an electric car.

“Every car-share vehicle takes up to 13 cars off our roads and every electric vehicle is one less car sending carbon into our atmosphere.”

Mercury and Cityhop’s EV car-sharing trial is being extended with a second EV available at the Downtown carpark in Auckland, the same location where Mercury installed the Auckland CBD’s first EV charger in 2015.
The trial began in May with a Nissan Leaf located in Newmarket. It has since been used by 35 different drivers and travelled more than 2200km.

Drivers have been impressed by the performance, the convenience of car-sharing and the overall experience of going electric.

“We’ve had consistent feedback about how easy to drive the car is and how the Newmarket location suits them,” Cityhop business development manager Ben Carter says.
Cityhop driver Brett Berquist, who used the Leaf early in the trial, says he was intrigued about trying it out and he loves the car-sharing model.

“I like the convenience. No paying for a parking spot or garage, no car purchase and maintenance fees, proximity of location, and no need to top up petrol for short runs.”

Another Cityhop driver Anna Phillips says, “It’s much better for the environment and I don’t have to worry about parking and petrol. I’ve been car-free for 10 years.”
The new car-share vehicle is a Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), offering the option of a larger SUV while giving drivers another EV model to try.
Its location at the Downtown car park brings EV car-sharing into the CBD, where more than 60,000 people live and around 65,000 work daily, including 1500 current Cityhop members.

“This partnership between Mercury and Cityhop is about testing innovative and sustainable approaches to ease Auckland’s transport challenges,” Mercury chief executive Fraser Whineray says.

“We’re all about offering choice and freedom and it’s great to be able to partner with Cityhop to offer Auckland drivers different electric vehicles to try.
“Mercury has owned and driven EVs since 2013 and we want more people to be able to enjoy the wonderful experience of EVs.”

Carter agrees.
“We’re extending the trial to the CBD where the bulk of our business and personal members are.
“The trial has shown us that the EV is used by Cityhop members for personal use outside of business hours, along with its use as part of the Mercury fleet.
“The sharing model has been perfect for these two groups of users.”

Cityhop was established in 2006, co-founded by Jucy Rentals and former Auckland City councillor Victoria Carter and its first cars hit the streets in August 2007.
Visit  mercury.co.nz

and  cityhop.co.nz for more information.