Charging on, post the COVID19 lockdown
Written By Drive Electric Chairman Mark Gilbert, for Autocar NZ June Edition And then along came COVID19, and everything stopped. Especially car sales regardless of what motive power. It’s given everyone an opportunity to rethink what might be important going forward, with many suggesting a reset is necessary – be it consumerism, our values or […]
It’s nearing general election time – does your political party choice understand the automotive changes coming and how NZ will transition?
Written By Drive Electric Chairman Mark Gilbert, for Autocar NZ July Edition So only three months to go until the next General Election. I raise this topic as for you the reader, and likely passionate car owner and driver, it’s time to interrogate political party car policies in the coming weeks. Looking forward, the automotive […]
Drive Electric Launches New White Paper on Fleet Buying in New Zealand
‘Making the Move: How Some of New Zealand’s Leading Organisations Have Gone Electric’ was released today at the EVs and Beyond Conference, Waiheke Island, Auckland. “Once a company has transitioned their fleet to electric, they never want to go back!” So says Drive Electric board member and NZ country leader at Custom Fleet, Michelle Herlihy. […]
Coalition Government Backdown on ‘Feebate’ Scheme Keeps New Zealand Trapped in the Past
New Zealand First’s action to halt the introduction of a ‘feebate’ scheme designed to support the nation’s transition to low-emission vehicles is a leap back into the industrial age, says Drive Electric Chairman Mark Gilbert. “While the majority of developed countries are embracing electric vehicles, New Zealand is choosing to continue to poison its environment […]
Auckland Transport and Fullers360 media release
Waiheke bus network gets electrified The Waiheke community will see new electric buses on the islands’ roads from the middle of next year. Auckland Transport and Fullers360’s Waiheke Bus Company have announced today plans for a fleet of electric buses on the island. This will start with six new electric buses in mid-2020, with an additional five […]
Drive Electric Supports Government’s Plan to Incentivise Cleaner Vehicles
Drive Electric is strongly supportive of the Government’s plan announced today, to incentivise the shift to low-emission vehicles in New Zealand. Chairman Mark Gilbert says that the proposal is a positive step towards creating a cleaner vehicle fleet on New Zealand roads, and is looking forward to participating in the consultation process. “While there is […]
Conferenz Ltd Press Release
The 2019 EVworld NZ Champions Awards finalists are announced. Judges Mike Underhill, Stella Stocks, Liz Yeaman and Rod Oram commended the overall impact of the work happening across New Zealand to champion EVs and the decarbonisation of New Zealand’s fleet, which was evidenced in the 36 award entries submitted. The judges recognised those entries that […]
EV advocates unimpressed as date slips for Cabinet to consider new incentives
An organisation that advocates for electric vehicles, Drive Electric, says it is disappointed the Government has delayed putting together a promised package of incentives for EVs. Drive Electric chairman Mark Gilbert said it was also frustrated by a lack of consultations with the Government and said the previous government’s target of having 64,000 EVs on […]
Political will needed to front the charge
I’m jolly following the festive period and electrified having watched the Evans boys do the business in the first Formula E event of their season. It’s a great competition and I hope the group working on a New Zealand round gets the support needed to make this happen on Auckland’s waterfront. It would be spectacular. […]
Fund for low emission transport projects reopens
The Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund (LEVCF) is open for a new round of applications, Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods announced today. Up to $3.5 million is on offer. The investment focus for this round aims to stimulate continued innovation and investment in areas such as filling key gaps in the charging network, facilitating […]