EV rideshare trial starting in Auckland

The first electric vehicle rideshare service of its kind in New Zealand starts a one-year trial in Auckland this November.

Residents within about three kilometres of the Devonport ferry terminal will be able to use an AT Local app to call one of three electric cars or three vans (including a wheelchair accessible van) to access the ferry.

“Using three cars from Auckland Transport’s existing fleet significantly decreases the cost of the trial, while still giving customers the level of service they need,” AT media advisor James Ireland says.

“When the trial begins, all six vehicles will operate in the morning and afternoon peaks, and off-peak there will be three vehicles operating, while the others are recharging.”

The cars are Hyundai Ioniqs, and the vans LDV EV80s with 56kWh batteries.

The cost to users hasn’t been finalised, but Ireland expects it will be about $3 a trip.

AT Local will provide a new, innovative way for public transport users to get to and from the ferry, he says.

“Devonport is the perfect place to trial this technology as there are only two ways out of the area, via the very congested Lake Road or on the ferry.

“We also expect that by getting more people onto the ferry we can reduce congestion in the area, and by giving people an alternative to driving to the terminal we can free up parking spaces in the town centre.”

The trial will determine if any changes are needed before AT considers rolling the EV rideshare service out to other parts of Auckland.