Electrics replace a third of Westpac NZ fleet

A total 65 new electric and plug-in hybrid cars have been welcomed by Westpac NZ for its national fleet.

The Hyundai Ioniq cars, presented at a media event on May 24 in South Auckland, form the first tranche of its nearly 100 EV target by 2019.

The remaining 32 cars will be included in the fleet as leases expire.

That means Westpac NZ is well on track to convert 30% of its 301-car fleet to electric by the end of next year, a commitment signed by more than 30 organisations.

The 65 new arrivals will be all on the road by the end of June, sent to Westpac branches and offices between Albany in north Auckland and Invercargill.

The largest corporate charger installation in New Zealand is already underway to accompany the new cars, with 65 chargers planned.

Westpac’s Britomart head office is upgrading power supply to establish 23 chargers.

Sites such as Tauranga and Hamilton will have chargers free for public use outside business hours (6pm to 7am).

At least 50 of the new Ioniqs will be fully electric, with a 220km real-world range. “However, for staff working further afield it makes sense to include the plug-in hybrid vehicles as well,” Westpac NZ commercial corporate and institutional banking general manager Karen Silk says.

“This is a game changer for us as we step up our efforts to help curb climate change.”

Westpac NZ commercial services operations and property director Rob Halsall says some of the vehicles will be pool cars and others assigned to specific staff.

Hyundai Motors New Zealand general manager Andy Sinclair says Westpac NZ is putting its money where its mouth is in terms of its commitment to switch to EVs and for reducing emissions and its carbon footprint.

He says both companies, which have had a great relationship for more than 10 years, can help others switch their fleets to electric.

Westpac says it has decreased its carbon emissions by 38% since 2012 and offset the remainder through carbon credits to be carbon neutral.

During the same time it has reduced lending to companies involved in fossil fuel extraction and production by 55%.

The fleet EV switch has other benefits too.

Custom Fleet manages the lease cars, and when the leases expire – usually after about 45 months – the fleet cars go into the used car market for a cheaper price.