In our transition to electric vehicles, are we focusing on the right target?

New Zealand Government is deservedly pleased with its “highly successful” Clean Car Discount policy, stating in a 2 May 2023 media release that, “with over 100,000 rebates granted since the scheme came into effect in 2021, we currently have one of the fastest uptakes of EVs in the world.”

The release goes on to say, “The scheme is successfully exceeding industry and government projections, with 20 percent of all new passenger car sales being electric in 2022. A substantial increase from eight percent in 2021.”

Source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/clean-car-discount-keep-driving-down-emissions

This is great news, however, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.  It is a well-known fact that there are much, much greater gains to be made if we accelerate the transition of our commercial fleets (i.e. vans, light/medium/heavy trucks) as they are heavier and less fuel efficient (than cars).

There is general acknowledgement that the transport sector provides New Zealand with the single largest opportunity to improve New Zealand’s energy productivity and reduce energy-related emissions. It is also more difficult for this sector to transition (limited stock, being one).

Here’s a statement from a report from Sydney-based consultancy, Adiona, which recommends focusing on electrifying commercial fleets before personal vehicles because this is, “by far the most efficient way to reduce vehicle emissions”.  The report reveals that “electrifying 10 vehicles used for last mile delivery is as beneficial as 56 households purchasing an electric vehicle”.

This report is a must-read for anyone in New Zealand who plays a role in reducing transport emissions.  You can access the report here.

If you are a fleet manager or work in the transport sector and are considering switching to electric vehicles, I suggest you take a look at SwitchMyFleet, a fleet transition tool developed by Critchlow Geospatial with co-funding through EECA’s Low Emissions Transport Fund.   

SwitchMyFleet is a free online tool that provides operational cost comparisons between internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles where you use your own real-world business scenarios to compare the costs of operating different sizes and types of vehicles. The results provide you with the metrics needed to build your business case for switching some or all of your commercial fleet to electric, with the aim to bring purchase decisions forward. 

You can find out more about SwitchMyFleet here.