Vodafone sets the e-wheels in motion

This story first appeared in the november issue of evtalk CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

For Vodafone, sustainability is about long-term thinking and ensuring everything the business does is enhancing the environment, communities and the economy.

Vodafone’s journey to transform its business includes the introduction of 10 SmartMotion e-bikes available for staff to use at their Auckland InnoV8 office as a resource throughout the day.

The North Shore location means the e-bikes are ideal for people to use on their lunch breaks, enabling them to get to Takapuna or Milford quickly, easily and carbon-free, Vodafone says.

Staff need to register to be able to use them, which includes an induction process where staff must demonstrate they are comfortable using the e-bikes.

About 10% of the 1800 staff based in the Smales Farm office have been through this induction process, with the number expected to increase in summer.

Additionally, Vodafone provides charging plugs for e-bikes and e-scooters to their staff where the shared e-bikes are stored, should staff commute on these to work and need a top-up before heading home.

“When we reviewed Vodafone’s fleet usage last year, we realised we could reduce the number of cars we have,” Vodafone New Zealand sustainability advisor Annalise Davies says.

“We have now successfully managed to decrease our fleet size by about a third, having a big impact on our CO2 emissions.”
Vodafone has seen a reduction in CO2 emissions of 4.6% from 2018.

“When it comes to electricity efficiency, Vodafone is making changes to reduce our consumption and make our network more efficient,” Davies adds.

“We’re also in the process of simplifying product systems to be able to decommission and eliminate older network technology, and implement sustainable technologies. Examples of these include smart power meters and use of renewables like solar-powered cell towers which are on the rise with the second phase of the Rural Broadband Initiative.”

Vodafone’s launch of 5G in December will pave the way for further energy efficiencies around New Zealand.

Newer technology such as 5G has energy saving features like dynamic spectrum management, traffic management and idle mode, regulating consumption and making it fit for purpose.

Vodafone’s 5G rollout will also enable autonomous vehicles to become a reality in New Zealand, many of which are electric vehicles.

“Sustainability is a top priority for Vodafone,” Davies continues.

“We’re always looking for ways to increase efficiencies and can’t wait to explore what the 5G launch will enable in this area.”