A battery swapping station for electric trucks is among new low emission transport projects getting government co-funding, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods has announced today.
'So far, we only have a few dozen electric trucks on the road but innovations like battery swapping stations for E trucks will save valuable time for truckies.
'It will mean they'll be able to quickly swap in a fully charged battery to continue their journey, leaving the old battery for recharging later and at off-peak times when electricity is cheaper,” Woods says.
'This is exactly the kind of innovation the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund is here for, to address barriers that may be in the way of faster low-emissions transport uptake.
'The technology is advancing at pace, and I'm confident the E truck project will demonstrate the potential for further electrification of the heavy fleet.”
In total, 22 projects will receive $6.5 million in round 10 of the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund, with this round's focus on investment in heavy transport and the public charging network.
Recipients will contribute an additional $12.8 million.
Round 10 is made up of three technology/battery testing projects, seven heavy electric trucks projects, 11 charging infrastructure projects and one van project.
Minister Woods announced the round 10 recipients at an event to launch a round 9 project; an EV and E bike sharing pilot at the Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust, which is giving its tenants the opportunity to share, rather than own transport.
'Sometimes innovation isn't just about the technology itself, but how it can be used.
'Community projects where people can use an EV or E bike, without having to buy them, is a great example of this,” Woods says.
Woods notes that the round 10 projects come from the final round of the LEVCF in its present form, as the government will progressively increase the size and scope of the LEVCF to $25 million per year by 2023/24.
'Expanding the scope of the fund will not only further help us tackle transport's climate impact, it will also encourage more growth in the low-emissions technology sector,” Woods says.
Details of the LETF will be announced by October.
The Fund is one of several initiatives in the Government's Electric Vehicles Programme.
5 comments
Hey Megan Do I have a deal for you.
Posted on 09-07-2021 22:50 | By Walbuck
How about I sell you some Helium 3 from the moon thats transported via Platinum coated Unicorns to Earth Thats way more efficient and cost effective than swapping out two hundred and fourteen 12v deep cycle batteries for each truck every 500 kilometres.
Seriously
Posted on 10-07-2021 07:18 | By Johnney
Surely they can’t be serious about EV trucks when development is still in it’s infancy. Thought they would first look at infrastructure like more power generation and ensure transmission lines will cope. Are they intending to import more coal for electrical generation.
Yep Johnney
Posted on 10-07-2021 14:37 | By Kancho
Obviously the government aren't listening to to Emeritus Professor Michael Kelly who has said it's to ambitious power generation will need to be 50 percent more. We have finite ability to generate from renewable sources. To long an article to quote etc but anyone interested can good the professor's view on New Zealand EV conversion. The government trying to be green and get green votes whilst alienating others by what amounts to a tax or if you use their spin a disincentive fee
Spot on Kancho
Posted on 10-07-2021 16:50 | By Johnney
Professor Michael Kelly is a highly esteemed professor in electrical engineering and said his advice to the government falls on deaf ears and has been labelled a conspirator by the Greens and this current mob in power.
stupidity
Posted on 10-07-2021 17:22 | By terry hall
she needs to do more research before jumping the gun, she needs to read overseas reports and scientific data from overseas and the manufacturer's research, we are paying for no brains.
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