Electrifying EV conference promised

New Zealand’s EV big guns will be there as The EVent – EVs and Beyond Electric Vehicle Industry Conference – takes centre stage on Electric Island Waiheke in Auckland on March 1 and 2.

The conference at the Waiheke Island Resort is sure to set the pace around debate about recent Government emissions measures expected in the Clean Car Import Standard, consideration of EV incentives and more.

Indeed, keynote speaker and Climate Change Commission chair Dr Rod Carr will front the second day of the conference talking about the commission’s recently released draft advice urging action and what it all means.

The two-day programme will be launched by Waiheke Local Board chair Cath Handley – the board adopting the Electric Island Waiheke Trust’s goals to exclude fossil fuels by 2030 and become one of the world’s first electrified residential islands, including electric transport.

EVs and Beyond publisher Auto Media Group Ltd managing editor Richard Edwards then opens the conference and will moderate various panel discussions.

EVs are not just for land-based transport with a look at air and sea electric alternatives canvassed.

This includes Gary Freedman talking about ElectricAir’s achievements in getting the first electric aircraft into New Zealand’s skies, followed by discussion around electric ferries.

East by West Ferries managing director Jeremy Ward aims to have a new electric ferry on the water in Wellington shortly.

Liz Yeaman of Retyna consulting covers how electric ferries are charged up, while Michael Eaglen of EV Maritime explains plans for electric ferries on Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf.

Back on land, automotive expert Phill Haynes covers the impact the Clean Car Import Standard may have on New Zealand’s vehicle fleet and sales.

Where New Zealand will get its used EVs is outlined by Hayden Johnston of GVI Electric, while the source of new EVs will be presented by Anthony MacLean of Boost Auto consultants, responsible for launching the electric MG here.

Heavy electric trucks are as yet few and far between in New Zealand. One of the first to test them on the road is Alsco NZ with its business and product development manager Gavin Smith explaining how it’s going and the lessons learned.

Fuso NZ has had the eCanter out for some time, the group’s sales and customer experience manager Kathy Schluter discusses how the electric truck integrates into transport operations.

Hydrogen looks set to play a big role in transportation – especially in trucks and possibly other modes such as long-distance trains.

Andrew Clennett of Hiringa Energy talks about hydrogen production and distribution, while Gavin Young from Hyundai New Zealand outlines prospects for hydrogen power.

The first day wraps up with a networking dinner with Kiwi rally driver Hayden Paddon the guest speaker.

He explains his newly launched electric rally car based on a Hyundai Kona at a session the next day, adding how he sees motorsport going electric (it already has the ABB FIA Formula E series, for instance).

Day two kicks off with Rod Carr as keynote speaker, followed by ITSNZ Young Transport Professional Amy Strang talking about how young people can play a part in designing future transport systems.

Simon McManus of ITSNZ, who also appears in this issue, hosts a session on “The Unbundling of Transport”, which includes Martin McMullan of Mobli, Kirsten Corson of Zilch and Jeremy Rooke from Turners’ Subsciptions.

After Paddon’s talk, Aaron Gillon of YHI Energy covers EV fleet charging and some of the pain points customers encounter, while Steve West of ChargeNet NZ explores the move to high-powered charging and how progress on establishing a nation-wide charging network is going.

EECA funding for ChargeNet has been approved in the latest round.

The afternoon session for Day Two has Gillon back to explain “peak shaving technology” and a new EV charger which can use solar and vehicle-to-everything functions.

Lincoln University lecturer Helen Fitt looks at how EVs can be part of New Zealand’s tourism industry, while Richard Heaps explains his PowerTrip app and how smart software can increase the efficiency of EVs and their journeys.

A final panel session and wrap up ends the two-day conference.

Visit www.evsandbeyond.co.nz/tickets to grab your conference spot or contact Deborah on deborah@automediagroup.co.nz or phone 027 530 5016 for more information.