The government is investing in projects that will add up to 110 new electric vehicle chargers and 50 electric ride-sharing vehicles around the country.
An EV plugged in to charge. Photo: 123RF
In the latest round of the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund, 21 projects have been approved.
The government will provide $3.8 million towards the projects and successful applicants will contribute a combined $12 million.
Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods said she was excited with the regional spread of the projects.
"Partnering with Foodstuffs, the Warehouse and various commercial partners we are actually making sure it is not just in cities were are seeing EV charging infrastructure.
"We are seeing this in places like Southland and Northland, we are really seeing a spread across the country."
Woods said for a number of companies having the grant through the fund has been a deciding factor.
The purpose of the contestable fund is to encourage innovation and investment that will accelerate the uptake of low emission vehicles in New Zealand.
In total, the fund has committed $23.8m in government funding to 139 projects.
While the project won't mean people will necessarily be rushing out buy an electric vehicle, Woods said the latest round of funding was making sure the infrastructure was in place for low emission vehicles.
She said there were currently about 15,000 electric vehicles on New Zealand roads, but added there was more work to be done.
Projects to receive funding:
- Foodstuffs to partner with ChargeNet to install public fast chargers at urban and provincial supermarkets
- The Warehouse Group to install fast chargers at regional Warehouse stores for public use
- Cityhop to purchase 50 electric vehicles for nationwide car sharing
- Mahu City Express to add an electric coach to its luxury coach and shuttle service operating between the Mahurangi region and Auckland
- Eastland Port to purchase an electric truck for watering and dust suppression at Eastland Port, which will be the first electric water truck in NZ
- The Wellington City Council to install chargers at Waitohi community hub being developed in Johnsonville
- Northpower to trial of vehicle-to-grid technology at a residential address