Electric vehicles for Downer pool fleet

Downer will introduce Electric Vehicles (EVs) as pool cars to its Auckland and Hamilton operations.

The company says the initiative supports both clients and business partners with a focus on alternative and smarter transport solutions that are better for the environment, better for the businesses and better for New Zealand.

The potential for EVs in Downer’s fleet was identified at a workshop with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) in November 2014. Downer’s initiative is aligned with the group-wide, EECA supported five year energy management plan and imperatives to reduce fuel costs and optimise renewable resources.

“New Zealand is in a unique position to optimise the use of EVs as almost 80% of our energy comes from renewable sources, says Downer.

“In addition, we still have relatively high off-street parking and there remains a reliance on cars for urban transport.

“Auckland Transport (AT) is soon to be releasing an EV car share programme as yet another initiative for Auckland’s multimodal transport solutions.

“We are keen to support AT with their programme so we will be basing an EV at our Penrose office for use on the AT network contracts,” says Downer.

Downer and Hamilton City Council will be operating two EVs from the Hamilton Infrastructure Alliance. These will replace the combustion engine cars currently used for network inspections.

The company will use the Generation 2 Nissan Leaf as its EV pool vehicle. It is powered by an 80-kilowatt electric motor and has a range of 120km on a single charge.

“The charging unit is attached at the front so we have specifically purchased long cables to ensure that our staff can adhere to our safety requirement of reverse parking. Each EV will have dedicated parking sites and staff can book the car using an online tool,’ says Downer.

The EVs will have the new Downer branding and include an EV slogan – SWITCH ON Downer will also be introducing to the fleet a Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) for staff travelling greater distances than just inner city travel.

“This option to staff with company cars is yet another initiative to minimise our carbon footprint, reduce fuel costs and support industry partners like Mighty River Power and AT to grow the EV market in New Zealand,” says Downer.