New Zealand Approves 22 New Low-Emission Transport Projects For Clean Environment

Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods has said that the New Zealand government has approved 22 new low-emission transport projects, as extended additional support to clean up the environment.

A community electric bike and car share scheme, additional electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, as well as five hydrogen trucks and a demonstration electric truck, are some of the latest projects to get government co-funding, says Woods, according to Xinhua news agency.

The Minister stated, “The Climate Change Commission’s recently-released draft report rightly points out how crucial reducing transport emissions is to meeting our climate change goals. It shows we are on the right track by supporting the uptake of cleaner technologies.”

Further, she explained how the fund will be distributed categorically, as The Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund (LEVCF) will contribute NZ$3.7 million (USD 2.67 million) to the projects, with the 22 recipients contributing a total of NZ$9.4 million (USD 6.8 million). This fund is administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority. new Zealand transport projects

All those 22 projects include Otautahi (Christchurch) Community Housing Trust’s initiative, which is giving its tenants the opportunity to share, rather than own transport through community car or e-bike share scheme.

Additionally, Fuso and Hyundai Motors New Zealand have also secured funding for both electric and hydrogen demonstration trucks, respectively.

She remarked on the continued expansion of the public charging network. In total, the LEVCF has co-funded over 600 public electric vehicle chargers, of which more than 450 are operational.

Wood further added, “Demonstrating and proving the potential for electric and hydrogen heavy vehicles is important, as heavy freight has an outsized impact on transport emissions.”

“The growing charging network should give New Zealand households and businesses thinking of purchasing EVs the confidence to do so, in the knowledge the infrastructure is increasingly available,” the Minister continued.