First electric vehicles for use in NZ welcomed

30 September 2010

EECA welcomes first electric vehicles for use in New Zealand

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) today welcomed the launch of a trial in Wellington of four full electric vehicles.

“Electric vehicles provide many benefits, including reducing air pollution, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing noise on our roads,” EECA chief executive Mike Underhill said.

“Using electric vehicles makes particularly good sense for New Zealand, as it allows us to use our electricity produced locally from mainly renewable sources instead of using imported fossil fuels.”

The four vehicles are Mitsubishi iMievs, which will be used by the Wellington City Council, New Zealand Post, Meridian Energy and The Wellington Company.

EECA will assist the Wellington City Council with the trial by helping to monitor and disseminate the results.

“Electric vehicles have excellent potential for New Zealand, and are in keeping with our clean green image, which is one of the reasons Mitsubishi is keen to work with us.

“We’ll continue to work with Mitsubishi and other car companies to encourage them to bring electric vehicles to New Zealand, despite high demand from many other countries.”

More information is available on the Energywise website www.energywise.govt.nz

ENDS

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