EV community outreach programme on the cards

A community outreach programme that will help electric vehicles (EVs) become mainstream is being proposed by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.

The organisation has posted its hunt for a programme supplier online, requiring a series of events and promotional activities across the country.

EECA transport general manager Liz Yeaman says it is part of a five-year nationwide information and promotion campaign to support the uptake of EVs, as mandated by the government.

“We know that real life experience is a really effective way to generate interest and this is an approach we want to continue,” she says.

As part of the $100,000 contract, 1200 EV drive experiences will need to be delivered over the first 12 month duration, with a minimum of 48 events nationally.

Skills needed for the role include the ability to reach a wide audience and a background in running successful events, Yeaman says.

EV advocacy group Drive Electric applauds the move.

“This initiative supports one of its key objectives being to mainstream electric vehicles in NZ,” chairman Mark Gilbert says.

“The majority of action, and sales, of EVs tends to be in Auckland, so a programme to roll out a programme that provides test drive opportunities and knowledge transfer can only but assist consumers with future decision making.

“Many [people] get put off by the upfront price, and have range anxiety. This is a chance to move consumers from transactional pricing to total life costs consideration as an EV has far fewer moving parts and ongoing costs are lower, especially electricity being approximately $0.30c per litre delivered to your door!”

Range anxiety can also be addressed with information on the numbers and locations of rapid and other charging infrastructure, he says.

“We also support this on the basis it further develops an idea we submitted in the first tender round with EECA, and whilst disappointed it didn’t advance in that process, its great to see it being picked up none the less.”