Organisations’ EV use award-winning

EVs have helped several organisations win big at the NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards.

The Better NZ Trust has won the Communicating Sustainability Award for demonstrating excellence in communicating a sustainability-related message.

The judges described the trust’s efforts to promote electric vehicles as “truly impressive and inspirational”.

“The Better NZ Trust is making this country better by effectively agitating for change from fossil fuel-based vehicles to clean energy electric vehicles,” they say.

Kathryn Trounson from The Better NZ Trust says the win is a big thrill.

‘Our experience at many EV events tells us that the best way to get people thinking about electric vehicles is to give them a ride.”

Supreme Award winner Air New Zealand was recognised for several reasons, including its use of electric cars.

Judges say the company has demonstrated true corporate leadership in sustainability since launching its Sustainability Framework a year ago.

It is transitioning its existing car fleet to EVs, saving 65,000 litres in fuel each year. Air New Zealand also recently formed an alliance with Mercury, supported by Westpac, to launch an initiative to encourage the uptake of EVs in corporate fleets in New Zealand. So far more than 30 organisations have pledged to transition at least 30% of their corporate fleets to electric in the next three years.

NZ Bus also tasted success, picking up the EECA Business Energy Management Award and the Renewables Innovation Award. The awards recognise NZ Bus’ $43m investment in Wrightspeed electric powertrain technology, which will to begin transitioning its bus fleet to electric power.