VIP Transport fleet to trial electric vehicle

An electric vehicle (EV) will be trialled in the Crown VIP Transport fleet.

A free trial of the BMW 740Le xDrive plug-In hybrid vehicle has been offered as part of the existing contract with BMW, the Department of Internal Affairs says.

The trial will determine if EVs can serve as Crown cars. The EV is almost identical to the existing VIP Transport fleet of BMW limousines.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the department to test a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, at no additional cost and with no obligation,” VIP Transport manager Steve Dyhrberg says.

He believes it could offer some cost savings, alongside environmental benefits.

“We will be testing the vehicle in various locations across New Zealand and it will be trialled for as long as necessary to determine if the vehicle is fit for purpose,” Dyhrberg says. It could take three to six months.

BMW sits on the All-of-Government Vehicles Panel and is part of the New Zealand Government Procurement’s new Electric Vehicles Panel. This panel gives government agencies access to the broadest range of product available to New Zealand at prices that are exceptional against the recommended retail price, the ministry says.

“We have had some positive feedback from the initial testing and our chauffeurs are really excited about getting behind the wheel of this car more often,” Dyhrberg says.

An evaluation after testing will determine the next steps.

The trial supports the Government’s programme to double the numbers of electric vehicles in New Zealand every year to reach about 64,000 by the end of 2021.

Visit nzta.govt.nz/ev and electricvehicles.govt.nz for more.