Electric car sharing scheme is coming to Christchurch

Electric car sharing scheme is coming to Christchurch

From left: Kirsten Corson stands alongside Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

A reduction in emissions, more efficient use of vehicles and publically available car sharing will be delivered as part of a 100% battery electric car sharing service that will be launched in Christchurch in November.

“An electric car sharing scheme is an exciting initiative for our city,” says Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel. “The fleet will deliver improved environmental and health outcomes and we are proud to be the first city in New Zealand, and one of the few cities internationally, that has an electric car sharing service.”

Christchurch City Council initiated the scheme to provide an electric car sharing service for businesses and residents and partnered with public and private sector organisations to seek a car sharing service provider.

Vehicle management company Yoogo was selected to implement the service for the Council, Ara Institute of Canterbury, Aurecon, Beca, Canterbury District Health Board, Chapman Tripp, Environment Canterbury, Meridian Energy, Tonkin and Taylor, Warren and Mahoney, Christchurch International Airport and Jacobs. Christchurch residents will also be able to book and use the electric vehicles.

Kirsten Corson, General Manager of Yoogo, describes the electric car sharing platform as a smart and sustainable way to get around town for businesses and for everyday Kiwis.

“Yoogo will deliver an experience that is easy, enjoyable and affordable,” says Ms Corson. “The shared vehicle partners and the public will be able to book vehicles online and access them via their phone or swipe card.”

“This will be the largest transition from combustion engines to pure electric shared vehicles in the Southern Hemisphere.”

The first stage of the car share scheme will be launched in November this year with Hyundai Ioniq and BMWi3 vehicles available at hubs in the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu car park, the West End car park and at Christchurch International Airport.

The second phase will see further hubs at the Lichfield Street car park, The Crossing car park, Ara Institute, Canterbury University, Papanui and Fendalton Libraries, and Lyttelton the Community Centre. Overall, there will be 100 electric vehicles at 10 hubs around the city.

Kevin Crutchley, Council’s Resource Efficiency Manager and project manager for this scheme, says, “Our electricity is largely generated from renewable energy, so this electric vehicle scheme will reduce our city’s carbon emissions. Also using a transport service with zero tail pipe emissions will improve air quality and have positive health benefits for the residents of Christchurch.”

The Christchurch Agency for Energy Trust was a foundation supporter, providing a grant towards the charging infrastructure for the first phase. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has provided funding towards phase two of the service through the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund.

For more information on the car share scheme visit: www.yoogo.co.nz

ENDS

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