Funding helps secure electric future

Europcar has been awarded nearly $200,000 in Government funding to expand its rental 100% electrical vehicle fleet, as sustainable motoring campaigns around New Zealand pick up the pace. 

As the first major car rental company to win Government funding for electric vehicles, General Manager Europcar New Zealand, Stephen Jones says the funds will see Europcar expand its electrical fleet in its ongoing efforts to produce environmentally friendly motoring solutions for Kiwis.  

“We’re pleased to have won $190,939 in Government funding which will go towards procuring the popular e-Golf with a real driving range in the region of 220kms and giving consumers unprecedented access to this eco-friendly motor vehicle.  

“We’ve already implemented e-Golfs at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch Airports in an initiative which sees corporate day travelers using them, in a bid to save carbon emissions by business travellers.”  

This exciting new program reinforces Europcar’s long-term strategy by embracing the fast-changing nature of motoring and its inevitable lean towards green technology.  
“Business and consumers are more concerned about their carbon footprint than any other time in history. Industry is rapidly changing to reflect consumer demands for environmentally friendly outcomes and companies that take a proactive approach will ultimately be the ones that succeed.  
“The future inevitably lies in green motoring solutions via innovation, collaboration and leadership.”  

Energy and Resources Minister Judith Collins announced the funding for low emission electric motoring services under the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund, administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).  
The fund is one of 15 initiatives in the Government’s Electric Vehicles (EVs) Programme, which has a target of doubling the numbers of electric vehicles every year to reach 64,000 by the end of 2021.    

With the growth of sustainable tourism and rising awareness of corporate responsibility, rental EVs provide travellers the opportunity to experience and test drive EVs while promoting environmentally friendly motoring solutions.