Electric cars power up with more funding
Guidance on public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EV) has been released in New Zealand.
There are now 2500 EVs in the country, after the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund was established as part of a package of initiatives to help stimulate electric vehicle uptake.
The guidance will provide clear recommendations for both investors and those enabling the development of charging station sites, such as local authorities.
“While we expect most charging will continue to take place at home or the workplace, reliable public charging infrastructure is crucial to provide drivers with the confidence to make longer trips. It can also influence the decision to buy [an electric vehicle],” said Transport Minister Simon Bridges.
The Transport Agency worked closely with local and central government and industry to identify recommendations that will best meet the long-term needs of EV drivers.
“Central to the recommendations was ensuring they took into account emerging fast-charge technology and overseas market shifts, learning from the failures and successes of other countries,” said Bridges.
The initial target set was for 64,000 EVs to be on New Zealand roads by 2021, and a total of 15 projects have now been conditionally approved to receive around $3.5 million from the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund.
“The funding will provide up to 50% funding for projects that will demonstrate and showcase low-emission vehicle technologies in high-profile, visible ways that will help to normalise these technologies, and that can be implemented relatively quickly,” said Energy and Resources Minister Judith Collins.
EVs are cheaper to run than petrol or diesel vehicles and produce 80% fewer carbon emissions than a petrol or diesel-powered vehicle.
A second round of funding, with up to $6 million available, is likely to open for applications in late February/March 2017. The fund is administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).
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