The Government's latest investment in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure will see more than 100 new EV chargers installed across the country.
Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods announced on Wednesday that 21 projects have been approved for funding through the latest round of the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund.
The Government will invest $3.8 million into the initiatives, with the successful applicants also contributing a total of $12 million. All projects are focused on encouraging low-emission transport and look to see more than 20 areas of New Zealand - including Tauranga, Nelson, Levin, New Plymouth and Oamaru - benefit.
Through the 21 projects, up to 110 new EV chargers will be installed.
That means the Government has now committed to co-funding more than 1000 EV chargers, of which it says 600 are currently operational.
Notable projects which will receive funding include:
- Foodstuffs partnering with ChargeNet to install public fast chargers at urban and provincial supermarkets
- The Warehouse Group installing fast chargers at regional Warehouse stores for public use
- Cityhop purchasing 50 electric vehicles for nationwide car sharing
- Mahu City Express adding an electric coach to its luxury coach and shuttle service operating between the Mahurangi region and Auckland
- Eastland Port purchasing an electric truck for watering and dust suppression at Eastland Port, which will be the first electric water truck in NZ
- The Wellington City Council installing chargers at Waitohi, a major community hub being developed in Johnsonville
- Northpower trialling vehicle-to-grid technology at a residential address
Dr Woods said these sorts of initiatives "move us in the right direction".
"Transport is the biggest opportunity we have in the energy sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This Government is committed to taking action on climate change and transitioning to a low-carbon economy," she said.
"We’re particularly pleased to see there will be more EV chargers in the regions. It’s good for both local and travelling EV owners, assuring them of options to fuel up."
The Contestable Fund is designed to encourage schemes which accelerate the uptake of low-emission transport in New Zealand. It has, so far, committed $23.8 million in Government funding to 139 projects. This has been matched by $50 million from applicants.
The next round of the fund will begin on Wednesday and applications are open until March 19. Its focus will be publicly available e-bike storage facilities.
