Video: EVs could counter central Auckland’s pollution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=2mIfCi5gojU

Electric vehicles could help cut rising air pollution in downtown Auckland.

Replacing diesel transport such as buses with electric is Auckland Council planning committee chairman Chris Darby’s answer.

Two electric buses are being trialled by Auckland Transport on its City Link service, with more considered, while electric scooters, electric bikes and ride-sharing are providing other transport options.

Moves to electric follow concern air pollution levels are rising in parts of the city like Queen Street after years of reductions.

Higher diesel emissions from older buses, trucks, ferries and ships are blamed for a rise in fine carbon particles dubbed “black carbon”, which can lead to health issues, council research shows.

Black carbon air concentrations had decreased at four of five Auckland sites between 2006 and 2016, according to Stats NZ and the Ministry for the Environment.

The average annual concentration was highest at Queen Street and Khyber Pass Road in that time.

But the latest research suggests concentrations in Queen Street especially are now rising, where high buildings reportedly reduce airflow and allow air pollutant concentrations to increase close to the ground.

Meanwhile, Auckland mayor Phil Goff says Auckland’s city centre and waterfront is being transformed.

OurAuckland says a modern and efficient public transport system will be installed over the coming decade, along with more public open space and shared pathways.

While vehicles are likely to be reduced, emergency and essential services will still have access.

Goff says the central city’s nature is changing. “It used to be empty and inert, but now we have more than 50,000 people living here, thousands of students and visitors, and 120,000 workers piling into our centre each day.

“Our central city is important not only to our region, but our country too, generating up to 20% of Auckland’s GDP and 7% of the country’s economic output.

“Previously, we’ve built around the private vehicle, but the city centre’s growth simply cannot be met by dedicating ever more space to roads and car parks. So we’re giving the city back to the people with more public transport options and pedestrian-friendly streets and open space.

“We are also making Quay Street a pedestrian-friendly, green, tree-lined boulevard connected to open space at the bottom of Queen Street and around the ferry terminal.

“After the America’s Cup (March 2021) we expect to begin work on light rail up Queen Street and make it a destination rather than a through road with plans for more shared space and pedestrian laneways in surrounding streets such as High Street and Federal Street.

“The Linear Park, connecting Victoria Park through the city to Albert Park will be a wonderful addition to Auckland allowing cyclists, pedestrians and scooters to move about our city safely.”

Public engagement on elements of downtown work including the redevelopment of Quay Street will start later in November, with the main physical works around Quay Street and downtown due to begin in late December.