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New Zealand’s First Electric Campervan Arrives at MOTAT
Summer is the time for a good old Kiwi road trip, so it is fitting that at 9am Monday 21 January MOTAT will welcome the latest addition to its vehicle technology exhibition Accelerate: Driving New Zealand.
The first Kiwi electric campervan developed by innovative Kiwi company JUCY.
Demand for eco-friendly tourism has fuelled JUCY to lead the charge into the electric campervan market and their prototype electric vehicle will be on display at MOTAT for the next three months.
The $35,000 electric vehicle (EV) was converted in early 2018 into a custom-built campervan by the company’s manufacturing plant, JUCY By Design, in Helensville.
It was then put to the test by French environmental students, Héloïse de Bokay and Solène Trinquet, who spent five months travelling around New Zealand sharing their eco-adventures in their blog www.newsandland.com.
“EVs are part of JUCY’s mission to reduce our impact on New Zealand” explains JUCY co-owner and chief operating officer Dan Alpe.
“There is a growing market of visitors who want more environmentally sustainable travel options, so these vehicles give tourists more choice and offer cheaper running costs too.”
The challenges around vehicle range and charging infrastructure is also being steadily addressed thanks to investment and support from Government Agency EECA.
Following the initial trial JUCY are also working on extending the driving range of their EV fleet from 100km to 180+km per charge. With plans to roll out 5 more EV campervans in 2019, JUCY will soon be helping thousands of tourists experience New Zealand in a more sustainable and cost-efficient way.
“This EV Campervan is a perfect example of the kiwi innovation and ingenuity we like to highlight at MOTAT” says Michael Frawley, MOTAT Chief Executive.
“Thanks to companies like JUCY and their innovative use of new technology, tourists can travel around our beautiful country in an environmentally friendly way.”
The JUCY team will deliver this prototype EV camper to MOTAT at 9am Monday 21 January. It replaces the 1908 Clement Bayard vehicle as one of the feature exhibit within Accelerate: Driving New Zealand.
ENDS
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