The Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA) is calling for businesses across the country to ‘shout out’ about their EV use, in a bid to encourage more organisations to make the switch within their fleet. EV Shout Outs – the latest project from Gen Less* – will celebrate businesses that are actively talking about their EV use on social media, by giving them shout outs on highly prominent digital billboards in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and online.
For the chance to receive a shout out, businesses simply need to share a post about their EV use on their company’s Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn page using the hashtag #GenLessEVs and then email a link to Gen Less.
Chief Executive at EECA, Andrew Caseley, says: “Road transport accounts for around 20 percent of New Zealand’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions.
“There’s never been a more important time to look at the practical changes we could all be making to reduce emissions and transitioning to EVs is just one solution that will help decarbonise transport.
“We know there are many companies in New Zealand that are already using EVs as part of their day-to-day business, but unless organisations are talking about it regularly, people may not realise the positive impact they’re having.”
The inclusion in corporate vehicle fleets plays an important role in New Zealand’s transition to EVs and as it stands, of the 19,288 EVs registered in New Zealand, around 4,400 are owned by businesses according to data from the Ministry of Transport.
“EV Shout Outs has been created to give businesses the chance to celebrate their EV use. We hope the project will continue to normalise the idea of EVs as part of daily business, show leadership, and inspire others to transition their fleets as well,” explains Caseley.
The EV Shout Outs digital billboards will go live from the 2nd-29th March. A series of digital online banners will also further promote and celebrate the EV efforts of New Zealand businesses during this time.
To find out more about how your business could receive a shout out, visit: www.genless.govt.nz/ev-shout-outs .
How businesses can get involved?
EECA is asking businesses to share an EV update or updates on their company’s social media pages using the hashtag #GenLessEVs and then email a link to the social media post to genless@eeca.govt.nz for their chance to be featured.
EV use is trending
Following hot on the heels of big retailers such as Foodstuffs and Countdown, Sanford is the latest company to acquire an electric delivery vehicle.
The Kiwi seafood company says it is putting New Zealand’s first fully electric chiller van on the road. The new van will transport the freshest possible fish with the lowest possible carbon footprint. The van is a first for New Zealand because not only is the engine electric, but the chiller is too, enabling the vehicle to transport up to 1000kgs of seafood at a time with no emissions at all.
Sanford’s General Manager of Supply Chain Louise Wood says the company is grateful to the EECA Low Emission Contestable Fund for its support.
“The EECA funding is great because it encourages innovation and investment to promote, enable and accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles. That’s made a big difference to us and has given us the encouragement to try something new.”
