Has electric gone Audi? - Global EV traveller on final leg Women in EVs
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NZ’S NEWS SOURCE FOR ELECTRIC, INTELLIGENT AND AUTONOMOUS TRANSPORTATION
JUNE 2019 .CO.NZ
Has electric gone Audi?
INSIDE
Global EV traveller
Women in EVs 5 on final leg 8 E-trucks on the move 11
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FOUNDATIONSPONSORS EVTalk acknowledges the support of our foundation sponsors: EVtalk Magazine is published by Auto Media Group Limited., 8/152 Quay Street, P.O. Box 10 50 10, Auckland City, 1030. Ph. 09 309 2444. EDITOR Geoff Dobson 021 881 823 geoff@automediagroup.com.au BUSINESS MANAGER - EVTALK James Henderson 021 778 745 james@automediagroup.co.nz RECRUITMENT SPECIALIST/ PRODUCTION Fran Da Silva 021 933 279 fran@automediagroup.co.nz GROUP GENERAL MANAGER/ EV PLANNER Deborah Baxter 027 530 5016 deborah@automediagroup.co.nz MANAGING EDITOR Richard Edwards 021 556 655 richard@automediagroup.co.nz PUBLISHER Vern Whitehead 021 831 153 vern@automediagroup.co.nz Auto Media Group Limited makes every endeavour to ensure information contained in this publication is accurate, however we are not liable for any losses or issues resulting from its use. Printed by: Alpine Printers. evtalk.co.nz evtalk.com.au autotalk.co.nz autotalk.com.au transporttalk.co.nz transporttalk.com.au wheeltalk.co.nz 2 | EVTALK JUNE 2019 | www.evtalk.co.nz
NEWSTALK
Has electric gone Audi?
A
udi New Zealand has pulled the vehicle training.
local covers off its first battery Audi's focus on
electric model and made the bold charging will extend into
claim: Electric has gone Audi. customers’ homes, with
OK, so there is a little marketing a partnership with Vector
bluster in there, but as far as the New and its HRV subsidiary.
Zealand market goes, the brand does HRV will provide home
have a little bit of a claim to doing electric energy assessments as
to the extent that only Tesla has done to how much power is
before, and in some areas beyond. fed into the house, and
Two months ahead of launch it has subsequently, how much
landed four left-hand drive models charging can be provided.
into the country and registered them More on that later.
for road use - they actually showed up The first of Audi's BEVs
in May's used car registrations. They to arrive is the e-tron, a
are travelling the country for charger medium-to-large SUV that
verification and testing and will go on retails from $148,500 for the 55 Quattro gives the ability to pull up to 1.8-tonnes,
show and be available for test drives model, and $157,000 for the advanced which is not enough for a substantial boat
around the country. model. It comfortably seats five and is or caravan, but suitable for most uses.
You can call your local Audi dealer if sized at slightly smaller than the seven- Roof rails, roof boxes and cycle racks can
you want a look, though if you're going to seat Q7, around the same as the Q8. all be fitted as options.
buy, the first 100 units destined to arrive Built in Belgium, it shares a platform "Performance means something
this year are already spoken for. with those fossil-fuelled models, though different in New Zealand, and here at
being modular, Audi has Audi we repositioned performance in NZ
done an excellent job terms," Sheed explains.
of laying out the battery The e-tron counter's Tesla's massive
in a way that does not screen with the brand's virtual cockpit
impinge on the spacious system. The driver gets a screen in front
interior. of them, one atop the centre console
The battery is 95kWh where you would typically expect one,
and actively cooled. and a screen below this. The driver
Charging is CCS Combo interacts with the variable drive systems
type 2, with DC fast and regen systems through the main
charging at up to 150kW, screen using an “efficiency assist”
and AC charging at up to system. In combination with the adaptive
11kW. Audi New Zealand cruise assist, the efficiency assist can
general manager Dean also brake and accelerate the Audi e-tron
Sheed tells EVtalk 22kW predictively.
may come next year The infotainment system included
in combination with a an embedded sim for the Audi Connect
vehicle-to-home unit that system, allowing for live services and 3D
Audi will be selling the car at all of its can be packaged with the car. Google mapping.
dealerships, and they will all have DC fast The two electric motors - one front, On top of the assist systems is the
charging, some set to outstrip the current one rear, give a combined 300kW of central driver assistance controller, which
local standard with the fitment of 175kW power and a beastly 660Nm of torque. continuously computes an exact model
ABB units. Selling and servicing at every Performance from 0-100km/h is rated at of the environment. The required data is
dealership comes at a significant cost to 5.7-seconds per 100km. obtained – depending on the selected
the brand, with 40 technicians already Audi is keen to push that the e-tron options – from up to five radar sensors,
coming to Auckland for high-voltage is ready for Kiwi life. An optional tow bar Continued on 4
EVTALK JUNE 2019 | www.evtalk.co.nz | 3
NEWSTALK
Audi to offer complete electric solution
Continued from 3 years already.
six cameras, 12 ultrasound sensors and Sheed, prominent for his work
the laser scanner. with Drive Electric, is one of the
A unique option - unique to the point most EV-passionate members of
that the NZ Transport Agency has had the new vehicle trade.
to give Audi an exemption for the tech The brand will have 30
- is the optional virtual exterior mirrors. electrified models on sale by
Integrated into each of the mirror 2025, 12 of those full BEVs.
supports is a small camera, whose Four will be on the road by
images are displayed on high-contrast 2021, and you can expect most
OLED displays inside the vehicle. will come here.
Removing the mirrors gives a 35km "We are almost beyond this
gain in range, thanks to the lower car, planning what is coming
windage of the camera mounts. The over the next four years," Sheed
mirrors come as part of a $5800 tech says." a very popular location ..."
package on the Advanced model only. What is next? An S version of the For most out-of-home charging,
The differences between the standard e-tron will be here in six to nine months, e-tron owners will have access to the
and advanced models are relatively a Sportback around the same time, and ChargeNet NZ network. Chargers were
minor. The Advanced gains 20-inch after that the e-tron GT - a platform tested and adapted to ensure they work,
wheels over 19-inch units, extra rear side mate to the Porsche Taycan. while all owners will get a ChargeNet fob
airbags, 360-degree camera, a heads “We've got SUV's, we've got sports built into their Audi key-ring.
up display, upgraded front armrest and cars, we've got all the stuff you would
higher quality leather. S-Line, Luxury expect. Our theory is the vehicle brought It’s an Audi
and the aforementioned technology and to you by Audi happens to be available as So what is the e-tron like? EVtalk got
comfort packages can only be added to electric.” to check it out, and take it for a very short
the Advanced. The hard work marketing Audi's drive at the brand’s reveal and launch
electric efforts and planning have already event in Auckland recently.
been rewarded, with the first First off, don’t expect some crazy
allocation sold out in just a few spaceship-like electric concept. The e-tron
days. fits very nicely between its conventional
"We sold a year's supply in cousins. Yes, it is modern with its sharp
eight days. It is kind of a good lines and blacked-out glass, but it looks
problem to have, but not good at like the crossing of an Audi Q7 and Audi
the same time." Q8 – which makes sense.
Sheed explains the brand That appearance similarly applies
decided to work with ABB and unless the option of the camera-based
dealers - who are footing most rear-vision mirrors is ticked. It takes a
of the bill - to put DC charging moment to get used to the look of a
in because as the volume of vehicle with only stubby stalks where
vehicles grows, fast charging mirrors usually would be. From the
will be required to keep up with driver’s seat, the system will likely take
demand from cars coming in for a little getting used to as well, the mirror
service. It could be that those image displayed on screens in the door
chargers are opened up to of the car, just below the front corner of
Just the start customer use, but that will be on a case the window.
Sheed says the e-tron is just the start by case basis. The units are ready for it. The interior itself is fabulous. The
of Audi's electric fleet - not that it is a cold "We have spec'd our chargers with an virtual cockpit screens are all canted
start, with the A3 and Q7 e-tron plug-in RFID reader, EFTPOS and 3G. Now if a towards the driver and in easy reach. The
hybrids having been on sale for a few dealership chooses to put one of those in Continued on page 19
4 | EVTALK JUNE 2019 | www.evtalk.co.nz
WOMEN IN EVS
NZ’s EV ‘high priestess’
D
ee West needs no introduction Well known for her
to the EV community. enthusiasm, “out there” attitude
She’s the high priestess of and warm welcomes, Dee West
EVs in New Zealand and is known in EV has certainly come a long way
circles around the world too. from the days when she grew
Passionate about social and up in Canada’s “oil patch” in
environmental sustainability, her role in Alberta off Highway 22 (aka The
helping establish fast-charging network Cowboy Trail) and was “bullied
ChargeNet NZ with Steve West has been mercilessly” at school.
an appropriate fit and has led to Dee Partly to escape all that, she
promoting EVs any chance she gets. came to New Zealand at 16 as
That can be through her New an exchange student at Thames
Zealand Electric Vehicle Podcast – now High School, having already
internationally available - with co-host and visited the country with family
founder Theo Gibson, joining in social around 1992.
media discussions, and through many EV West met many good people Dee West
events like the EVworld Expo in which during her stay and her parents
she has played a key role. later moved to New Zealand as well. and marketing manager, working at the
The Wests were also founding After living in places like Inglewood, leading edge of technology and watching
members of the Better NZ Trust, to Stratford and Dargaville, West did a the birth of the internet.
educate and create opportunities for New communications degree course at She met West, who was a customer
Zealanders to live more sustainably. Unitec in Auckland, then worked for and had established Serato, creating DJ
The trust is behind the annual Telstra Clear. She then joined internet and music production software, and they
Leading the Charge EV road trip too. service provider WebInternet as sales Continued on 23
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EVTALK JUNE 2019 | www.evtalk.co.nz | 5
NEWSTALK
Toyota moves to EVs - at last
A
fter years of dragging the chain on
electric vehicle development, Japa-
nese giant Toyota has finally woken
and announced a goal of getting half its
Hybrids wane
H
global sales from electric vehicles by 2025 ybrids and plug-in hybrids
- five years ahead of its previous schedule. are on the wane globally,
This is great news for New Zealand writes EVTalk publisher Vern
where Toyota has absolutely dominated Whitehead, who attended recent EV
new and used import car sales for more Toyota Prius hybrid conferences in Oslo and Berlin.
than two decades. regulations require more lithium-ion “The attitude at both events was
Not only will Toyota’s belated batteries in the next five years than the that there is little place for hybrids in
acceptance of pure electric vehicles automaker had plans to produce, he adds. the modern EV world, with prices of
boost EV sales here, but it will also put “We consider ourselves as a maker of pure EVs likely to reach parity with
more pure EVs on to the right-hand- electric vehicle batteries, going back to petrol and diesel engine cars in the
drive domestic Japanese market which when we developed the battery for the next two to three years.
will then, eventually, be available to Kiwi Prius,” he says, referring to the pioneering “And with EV models now doing
used import dealers. petrol hybrid. 200, 300, 400 or even 500km -
The tragedy is that it has taken so long “But there may be a gap between the Tesla Roadster does 1000km - on
for the brand which gave us the Prius amount of batteries we can produce, and a single charge, there is even less
hybrid more than 20 years ago - thus the amount of batteries we may need.” reason today for the complexities
ushering in an era of partially electric Reuters reports Toyota, which already of hybrids.”
vehicles - to move on to all-electric vehicles. makes batteries for hybrids and hybrid Toyota is, however, not changing
plug-ins, will partner with its policy towards full battery EVs,
China’s Contemporary vice-president Shigeki Terashi says.
Amperex Technology Co Ltd “We are not shifting our focus to
(CATL) and EV-maker BYD Co prioritise battery EVs, nor are we
Ltd for battery procurement. abandoning our fuel cell strategy.”
The key to creating a Whether Toyota can afford to
profitable battery EV operation continue to invest in R&D for three
Toyota’s planned BEV range could be in combining new separate technologies remains to be
Toyota is arguably the last major mobility technologies, including on-demand seen,” Whitehead says.
vehicle manufacturer in the world - Toyota ride services, with battery-powered electric
along with EV committed Volkswagen cars, Terashi says.
lead the world in passenger vehicle Tapping CATL signals a widening of it seeks to reduce its capital outlay for
production - to see the light and with Toyota’s procurement pool. The Chinese developing new-vehicle technologies.
Mazda, commit to pure EVs. This is sad firm already has relationships with other Reuters reports Toyota announced
for a pioneer with its hybrid technology. automakers such as Honda, Nissan and it was teaming with Subaru Corp to
It also means that Toyota is now in a a multi-billion dollar battery supply deal develop a battery-electric SUV on a
scramble playing catch up when it should Volvo Car Group, reports Reuters. platform produced together as they
have led the EV field. Toyota has for decades been seek to split costs.
Reuters says Toyota will now have to developing its own lithium-ion EV
tap into Chinese battery makers to meet battery technology and has partnered
the accelerated global shift to electric- with Panasonic to develop and make
powered cars. rectangular-shaped prismatic batteries.
The change illustrates the breakneck The automaker, which launched
growth in the EV market, which is the Prius, the world’s first mass-market
transforming the auto industry, and is “green car” over two decades ago, has
also an acknowledgment by Japan’s top led in technologies for hybrid and fuel cell
car maker that it will not be able to meet vehicles (FCVs). Its cars account for more
demand for batteries on its own, adds than 80% of the now diminishing global
One of Toyota’s ultra-compact BEV models
Reuters. hybrid vehicle market.
Toyota is now faced with a higher- But it has been left behind by rivals Toyota also announced an ultra-
than-expected demand for cars that use such as Nissan, Volkswagen and Tesla in compact two-seater designed for short
batteries, rather than petrol, executive bringing all-battery EVs to showrooms. trips - ideal for places such as Waiheke
vice-president Shigeki Terashi says. Toyota is now looking to partnerships Island - with a maximum speed of 60km/h
Also, increasingly stringent emissions with rival automakers and tech firms as and 100km range on a single charge.
6 | EVTALK JUNE 2019 | www.evtalk.co.nz
NEWSTALK
ABB and Octopus Group
collaborate to advance e-mobility
B
usinesses planning an electric leading EV charging
vehicle fleet can get most of infrastructure and energy
what they need through ABB and technologies to deliver
financial services and clean energy firm the transition to electric
Octopus Group. buses and commercial
The collaboration between ABB and fleets, empowering new
United Kingdom-based Octopus Group adoption levels.
provides a one-stop-shop solution for The collaboration
operators, who can now source the addresses the clear need
financing and renewable energy supply to reduce emissions, with
needed to launch an EV fleet from ambitious government
Octopus and the required electrical targets and clean city Buses and commercial fleets stand to gain from the ABB and Octopus
Group partnership
infrastructure solutions from ABB. initiatives in place around
The move is expected to help the world. Octopus investment director Daniel
accelerate the transition to electric ABB and Octopus Group bring together Saunders says.
buses and commercial fleets. like-minded teams who have the resources, “This collaboration with ABB embraces
As a pioneering technology leader experience and complementary technical that spirit and our drive towards a low
committed to writing the future of mobility expertise to help meet such targets and emission-low carbon future.
and energy, ABB says it is constantly to usher in sustainable solutions for bus “By working with like-minded
looking for innovative ways to drive and fleet, simplifying the transition to zero partners, we increase our ability to
increased adoption of sustainable emission transport. innovate and create new offerings to
mobility solutions. “Our collaboration with Octopus help realise the potential of electrified
Working with Octopus Group is Group marks a very positive step for the zero-emission transport and intelligent
a natural fit based on its delivery of wider transition of public and commercial energy services that benefit society.”
innovative zero-emission transport fleets to electric on a global scale,” ABB Working at the forefront of EV charging
initiatives, and its considerable global EV charging business head Frank technology for more than 10 years, ABB
contribution to renewable energy Muehlon says. has developed a broad portfolio of
generation and supply, ABB adds. “We are proud to be working with charging solutions for heavy vehicles and
Together, ABB and Octopus Group seek Octopus and together we will break down commercial fleets ranging from 3kW to
to explore and develop further e-mobility the barriers to adoption and accelerate 600kW, with 10,500 DC fast chargers sold
market offerings that will support fleet innovation in this critical field.” across 73 countries.
operators to achieve a successful transition ABB and Octopus redefine the current Fortune Magazine recently ranked
to zero emission transport. transport relationship to one where more ABB eighth on its list of companies
Operators will be able to source the sustainable choices are viable, freeing that are “changing the world” for the
required mobility investment from Octopus up capital and resources to support core advances it has made in e-mobility and
Group through flexible financing models business growth. electric vehicle charging.
and renewable electricity supply. “We continue to invest in ideas, people In its role as title partner of the ABB
ABB will provide its market and enterprises that change the world,” Continued on 9
—
Smarter Mobility
For transport of the future,
today
www.abb.com/evcharging
EVTALK JUNE 2019 | www.evtalk.co.nz | 7
NEWSTALK
NZ is global EV traveller’s last leg
A
Dutch adventurer who out just off New Zealand’s
has driven across the coast. “So now I have literally
globe in his electric reached the other side of
vehicle is on the final New the world; in an electric car.
Zealand leg of his three-year Crazy!
journey. “I’ve always wanted to
Wiebe Wakker has driven come to New Zealand, but in
100,000km in his EV, from my original plan I didn’t think
Amsterdam to Sydney, crowd- it would be possible.
sourcing EV charging, meals “However, I received
and accommodation through some great support to ship
his website Plug Me In my vehicle over here from
The Blue Bandit
Project along the way. Sydney and I have the
Although he completed his opportunity for a sort of He’s impressed with Kiwis’ is also about combatting
goal to reach Sydney in early encore to complete my global enthusiasm for EVs and the climate change and promoting
April, he’s now exploring New EV adventure.” growing charging network, sustainability.
Zealand in his customised Wakker’s two-month and he’s keen to meet prime “The people I’ve met have
electric 2009 VW Golf station journey across both the North minister Jacinda Ardern, and been amazing,” he adds.
wagon after it was shipped to and South Islands, including see a hydro-electric dam. “Some people say they’d
Auckland from Australia. Bluff and Cape Reinga, ends Wakker is testing one of like to do what I’ve done but
Wakker says any tunnel with his return to Auckland for Tourism Holdings Limited’s never did.”
straight through the Earth from the EVworld NZ 2019 Expo (THL) Britz EV campervans From Haarlem in the
where he started in Houten in and industry conference on on a trip around Auckland, Netherlands, Wakker says
the Netherlands would come August 1-3. Coromandel and Raglan first. he only returned home once
“It’s great to see a tourism for four days for a family
business like THL emergency during his
embracing EVs,” world trip.
Wakker says. “It On returning home
makes complete this time, Wakker
sense that in plans a book and also
such a clean and a year of speaking
green country engagements.
like New Zealand, He wants to remain
tourists can make Wiebe Wakker an ambassador for EVs
environmentally and may eventually
friendly choices in the way do another world EV trip,
they travel.” although something a little
Fast chargers are at least different from this.
every 75km on 90% of New “I’m also aiming to start
Zealand’s state highway a company involved in
network, with three or four sustainable delivery, using
new stations opening every EVs such as electric bikes.”
month – Wakker opening He reckons he needs to
new EV charging stations at catch up on sleep too.
DB Breweries in Otahuhu just So, what prompted Wakker
after his arrival. to do his world EV sojourn?
Wakker says he’s lucky “It was my graduation
to have a few sponsors now project,” he explains.
so his last trip will be a little Studying event
easier. He enjoys staying management, Wakker decided
with and engaging people, on a creative experience
showing them his electric car. in marketing and to build a
EVs should be available to portfolio combined with his
everyone, he believes. interest in the environment
While his journey is an and photography.
adventure, Wakker says it Continued on 9
8 | EVTALK JUNE 2019 | www.evtalk.co.nz
NEWSTALK
Continued from 8 Russia and invited his website
“I wanted to do a road trip and social media followers
but it would have been silly in to pick the next nearby
a polluting vehicle. People in destination. Traditional media
Holland were just starting to had become interested by
talk about EVs in about 2013 then too. He now has about
so I thought I could do my bit 50,000 followers.
to promote them.” The adventurer has had
Through enquiries, Wakker very few major hiccups on his
was able to get an EV from travels, once having to get
among 50 petrol VWs a broken spring welded in
converted by a Dutch firm as India because no parts were
there were few, if any, from available, and also dealing
established car makers at the with extreme heat and long
time. It had a 37kWh battery distances in some places.
capable of about 200km range, Wakker has now proved THL’s Britz electric camper
although limited to AC charging. that EVs can go anywhere,
Wakker bargained on although for “Blue Bandit”, the Auckland, DB Breweries, more than 300 postcards to
only being able to plug in to final resting place may be a EECA, About Freight people who hosted him.
homes and other stops using museum. Worldwide and Wallenius Visit https://
AC during most of his journey Wakker’s New Zealand Wilhelmsen. plugmeinproject.com/ for
anyway. journey has been made And he also thanks the more information.
His early travels elicited possible with the support many who have supported his
little fanfare until he reached of Proxima, THL, Ports of global travel, having written
ABB and Octopus Group collaborate to
advance e-mobility
Continued from 7 the iconic new electric taxis from LEVC. help to change the world.
FIA Formula E championship and as Its energy investment business is the “We are experts in financial services
official charging partner for the new largest non-utility owner of distributed and energy, transforming these
Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy series, ABB renewable energy generation assets in markets by offering our customers
extends its commitment to support the UK, with further investments across access to smart and simple solutions
and expand the future of smart and Europe and Australia. that do what we say they will,” the
sustainable transport. Energy supply business Octopus company says.
Coincidentally, Kiwi brothers Mitch Energy has also grown rapidly to more “Today, we manage more than 8
and Simon Evans race in the Formula E than 600,000 customers. It is the billion pounds on behalf of retail and
and eTrophy series respectively. first and only energy company to be institutional investors.”
Octopus has been taking strides to recommended by Which?, the largest Octopus Energy, Octopus Investments,
deploy zero emission vehicles through independent consumer body in the UK, Octopus Energy Investments, Octopus Real
innovative pay-as-you-drive, Sharia for both 2018 and 2019. Estate, Octopus Ventures and Octopus
compliant, financing models for business Octopus is a group of innovative, Wealth are all part of Octopus Group.
users, including a fleet of up to 200 Jaguar entrepreneurial businesses investing in Visit octopusgroup.com for more
I-Paces at Heathrow Airport, and financing the people, ideas and industries that will information.
All the EV Industry HOT NEWS
every day as it happens on www.evtalk.co.nz
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EVTALK JUNE 2019 | www.evtalk.co.nz | 9
NEWSTALK
COMPANY CAR? CHARGE AT HOME
WORK PAYS
SMART - Charge Costs Forwarded to Work
SAFE - Tested to NZ Electrical Standards
SORTED - NZ Wide Product Support
10 | EVTALK JUNE 2019 | www.evtalk.co.nz
www.evc.co.nz | ev@transnet.co.nz | 0800 442 182 |NEWSTALK
Kiwi-build for EV trucks
E
lectric trucks are being
assembled in New
Zealand. Moreover,
they have been successfully
on the road for some time.
Absorb that for a moment.
In fairness, they are being
finished in New Zealand,
under the auspices of an
Australian company, with
batteries from China and
motors from Canada. Still,
trucks that would otherwise
be spewing diesel fumes on
our road are instead silently
getting around on electricity.
The trucks, and soon to
come vans, are the work
of Melbourne-based SEA
Electric. The company has
quickly developed a strong
reputation for developing
electric-propulsion East Tamaki facility.
drivetrains for a range of
common truck platforms
All up a further 18 vehicles
are in the pipeline, including Wellington welcomes its
first e-rubbish truck
– to the point where they a prominent, EECA-backed
developed Isuzu Australia’s contract with Countdown for
electric truck concepts. their home delivery trucks.
W
General manager for “They have got five ellington’s first fully electric rubbish truck will join
SEA Electric New Zealand, coming,” Fairweather says. two electric vans in servicing about 40 Wellington
Stephen Fairweather, is “We built the first one City Council social housing sites.
now leading the in Melbourne to The Manco SEA EV10 Electricat was revealed at a ceremony
expansion of the make sure all the at the council’s Berkley Dallard apartments on June 12.
brand within New engineering was right
Zealand – where it and then shipped that
is finding a ready over here. CAL Isuzu
market. is building the other
“We have got four in Hamilton.”
a lot of vehicles CAL Isuzu is
in the pipeline Stephen building several
at the moment,” Fairweather vehicles for SEA, part
Fairweather explains. of how it prefers to
“Currently there are work with truck brands here.
seven vehicles already on Rather than its own factory, it
the road. Four of them were works with partners already
locally built in Auckland. set up with workshops to
Others being built are all handle the conversions. CAL is
sorts for various markets.” handling Isuzu product in the
Councils are finding North Island, while Blackwells Bought with the aid of a government low emission vehicles
electric propulsion to be a will handle it in the South Island contestable fund administered by the Energy Efficiency and
boon for the relatively short, – the latter building some units Conservation Authority (EECA), the e-truck goes to contractor
stop-start trips that kind of for Foodstuffs. Professional Property & Cleaning Services (PPCS).
vehicle endures. The locally The vehicles arrive in New The same company introduced two electric vans last year
assembled ones were put Zealand with their diesel and has ordered six more EVs.
together by body-builder drivetrain intact. It is removed Continued on page 19
Manco Enviromental at its from the truck and taken into Continued on 12
EVTALK JUNE 2019 | www.evtalk.co.nz | 11NEWSTALK
Kiwi-build for EV trucks
Continued from 11
parts stock by the dealer.
Not that Isuzu is the
only brand they will work
with. There are also IVECO
and Hino trucks with SEA
drivetrains installed on the
road here.
“Our system's designed
to fit into a standard rigid
chassis. So we don't mind
what brand of truck it is,”
Fairweather explains.
For operators, that
means they can stick with a
supplier and chassis they are
comfortable with, speeding
integration into fleets.
The vehicles are
very configurable, with
batteries that range from
70kWh to 216kWh on offer.
SEA’s battery density has
been growing over time,
providing more range with
no additional bulk and little the user chooses. The small commercial environment's Smooth operator
extra weight. Systems are delivery trucks will go 200- got a 32 amp PDL 56 series We got the chance to go for
modular, with Fairweather 260km on a charge, and screwed to the wall.” a ride around Otahuhu in one
explaining one customer is the rubbish trucks a similar Charging is relatively fast, of Sea Electric’s Isuzu NLR-
in the process of up-sizing distance – though with the and so is payback. For a based small trucks, this one
their battery, their existing addition of a considerable medium-size electric delivery headed for a life delivering
unit able to be sold to a new number of uplifts of bins. The truck, Fairweather says payback groceries for Countdown.
customer at a reduced rate. vans hit up to 350km. on the additional investment With its electric drivetrain
A similar build model will be Ranges like that take the comes in around two-and-a- well behind you, the SEA truck
taken with the arrival of their vehicles beyond simple “last half years. The savings are not is even quieter than the other
electric delivery and minibus mile” status, with Fairweather just from fuel. Service costs are electric commercial we have
vans. They are based on a explaining one client is lower, particularly brakes. With experienced, the LDV EV80.
Chinese van that looks similar working to have an electric the large rubbish trucks, four Without the weight of a
to, but is not the same as, the truck do a Rotorua to Taupo brake changes were scheduled body behind us, there was
outgoing generation Hiace. return trip in the morning, then a year – the electric version some jiggle to the way the
Action Manufacturing will Rotorua to Tauranga in the only required one. truck rode, but otherwise, it
handle the drivetrain fitment to afternoon. Moreover, that is “And according to them, was very smooth – taking
the “glider” bodies. without DC fast charging. it didn't really need doing; off the power delivery curve
The four-tonne van will SEA has not yet they just took the wheels off appears to have been
retail for $89,990 and the equipped its vehicles for to have a look to see what programmed to perfection.
15-seat minibus for $99,990. A the technology, working was going on and decide of The Isuzu demonstrates
number are already on order, instead on the basis that they'd change them while one of those critical reasons
three going to Alsco to handle its commercial clients will they were at it.” such conversions work so
laundry and another to Sanford have, or can fit, 32 amp three impact on tyre use – well. There is nothing in the
to carry chilled fish. The latter phase charging, allowing around 15-20%. cab of this truck that gives
will use a chiller powered off for overnight fills or top-ups “That one we weren't quite away the game as to what it
the traction battery, making it between jobs. expecting,” Fairweather says. is – other than the silence.
entirely electric. “We end up with probably “We think it is because of the It is just a truck, with all
So how far will a SEA the biggest charging linear nature of the motor – the convenience and comfort
Electric unit go? That infrastructure in the world, rather than the horrible diesel levels Isuzu’s experience have
depends on the size of the actually,” Fairweather explains. whack on them.” given it. Even the transmission
vehicle and the configuration “Because just about every shifter is the same.
12 | EVTALK JUNE 2019 | www.evtalk.co.nzNEWSTALK
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EVTALK JUNE 2019 | www.evtalk.co.nz | 13NEWSTALK
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EVTALK JUNE 2019 | www.evtalk.co.nz | 15MICRO EVS
Hybrid Bikes set to go global
N
elson’s Frank Witowski started tail mountain bike version, expanding “For us little guys to make such a
making electric bikes out of carbon its market. Witowski says this is “new headway, it’s just amazing.
fibre two years ago because he territory” but it appears to be doing well. “It’s not cheap to enter this market. We
wanted one but couldn’t find them to buy. Electric bikes don’t have to be heavy took a chance – either way it works or it
His Hybrid Bikes brand is and feel like farm machinery. doesn’t.”
now in 26 New Zealand stores. Carbon fibre bike frames, Witowski’s talking with possible
Witowski says the bikes are historically only available to high- distributors in Europe and the US. One
about three to five kilograms lighter level athletes, are super strong company from the latter could ensure $5
than standard e-bikes and made and light for a superior, efficient, million funding, if successful.
in China under licence to reduce responsive ride. “We could cover America in one hit,
costs, selling here for $4950. Consumer.org.nz rated 16 if that happens, I’ll be blown away! This
“We want to be the top carbon e-bikes, and Hybrid Bikes’ F18 would be a really big deal,” Witowski
fibre e-bike brand in the world,” Frank Witowski Cruiser and M18 Speedmaster says.
Witowski says. “We want to be came second and third “We do carbon, no one else does
number one. Right now, we are doing respectively, only behind Specialized’s carbon. Nobody is touching it.”
this.” turbo Vado 3.0. Hybrid e-bikes are designed for New
Hybrid Bikes is New Zealand owned “To see this ranking, all the hard work Zealand conditions, whether commuting,
and operated, founded with the intent to is starting to pay off,” Witowski says. trail riding or winery touring.
design superior e-bikes for adventurous “Specialized rule the world! They are a Witowski donated one to his local
and urban Kiwis. billion dollar company. We beat the other search and rescue organisation to
The company has developed a half- versions,” he says. prove it.
KPMG sets the pace on e-bikes
M
any businesses are looking to “reducing single-driver
electric bikes as a transport commuting by 30%”, and
alternative for staff. “reducing our emissions
Advantages are a means of reducing from travel by 10%”.
emissions, promoting sustainable That includes providing
commuting and travel, reducing city alternative options for
traffic congestion and providing a its people to get to local
healthier way to get about. business or client meetings
KPMG NZ, which provides and commute to and
professional services, has obtained from work in a way that’s
five electric bikes at its Auckland healthy for them and the
office in a pilot to help it meet environment.
its 2020 environmental goals of “Staff can use them as
they wish as we
are promoting KPMG staff at e-bike training
both sustainable
commuting, travel and well- KPMG’s fleet manager so helps train
being through the project,” staff and operate the e-bikes, ensuring
KPMG Auckland Green Team they are charged up.
leader and sustainable value KPMG staff have access to end-
senior advisor Lucy Hamnett of-trip facilities such as lockers,
says. dry rooms and showers which also
KPMG is keen to roll out incentivise the e-bike commute.
the e-bike project to all seven While KPMG hasn’t studied other
offices, increasing e-bike EV options yet, Hamnett says who
numbers in the process. knows what the future holds.
An e-bike in KPMG livery Big Street Bikers (BSB) is
16 | EVTALK JUNE 2019 | www.evtalk.co.nzITS New Zealand leads the Future Transport conversation, promoting
research, development and adoption of solutions for safer, more
efficient and sustainable transport.
What’s Happening?
The World 5G, Sensor Data, Security and more
Congress is coming Simon McManus
June 18, 2019
See www.ITSNZ.org for details
BY SIMON MCMANUS,
up to eight spaces for organisations
events
EXECUTIVE OFFICER, INTELLIGENT
TRANSPORT SYSTEMS NEW ZEALAND INC and businesses to exhibit. This creates
a cost-effective opportunity to get
E
very three years the ITS World international profile, by our partnership
Congress comes to Asia-Pacific, with ITS Australia and ITS Asia-Pacific.
and this year the world’s largest The expo stand is in a prime location, october 21-25 2019
annual event for Intelligent Transport beside leading global organisations
Technologies and emerging transport and the conference catering space, for
and smart city technologies will be held highest visibility.
in Singapore in October. The four-day congress, October 21-
24, encapsulates eight themes.
These include connected vehicles,
standardisation, sustainable smart ITS World Congress
cities, transport safety, multimodal
transport, pricing and travel demand The 2019 Congress theme of
management, cybersecurity, big data “Smart Mobility, Empowering Cities”
and crowdsourcing. reflects Singapore’s commitment to
The programme will include plenary create the most liveable smart city in
sessions, workshops and will attract support of higher quest for an ever
some 10,000 delegates and attendees. connected community.
Amelia Samandari and Amy Strang So, to make the most of networking
opportunities, ITS are hosting events
ITS New Zealand is creating for members, officials and exhibitors. as speakers and moderators.
opportunities for New Zealand The events will be both at the stand, as ITS Asia-Pacific is also running an
organisations to get involved. well as exclusive offsite VIP events for extensive eight-day ITS Youth Leadership
The ITS World Congress attracts members and exhibitors. Programme. ITS New Zealand has selected
thousands of people representing In conjunction with the congress, Amelia Samandari and Amy Strang, both
businesses, governments and academia. several themed events will be running. from the University of Canterbury.
It is an opportunity to showcase leading Among them are the ISO TC 204 The programme will see them meeting
transport and smart city innovations, Plenary and Working Groups Meeting on ITS leaders, innovators and participating
expertise and the business and standardisation of ITS, a MaaS Forum, an in an “ideathon” competition.
investment opportunities that exist for Autonomous Mobility Summit and more - Get in touch if you would like to find
international companies. some of these are invitation-only. out more about exhibiting at or attending
As in 2016 and 2017, ITS New Zealand ITS New Zealand president Mohammed the ITS World Congress. We will also be
will be there, committing significant Hikmet is a member of the ITS World providing updates for our members and
investment to help our members and Congress Programme Committee as well as those subscribed to our database.
New Zealand organisations to make the being on the ITS Asia-Pacific board, which Visit www.itsworldcongress2019.com
most of this important annual opportunity. has helped to ensure that New Zealanders for the ITS World Congress preliminary
Our New Zealand expo space has are represented through the programme, programme.
gold members
contact us
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silver members JOIN THE FUTURE +64 (0)21 709 386
TRANSPORT CONVERSATION
EVTALK JUNE 2019 | www.evtalk.co.nz | 17INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT
Connected Vehicles
Who should control Mobility as
a Service?
M
obility as a Service (MaaS) is a alternative independently By Dr Glen Koorey, Director, ViaStrada Ltd
means of providing people with developed offerings. Glen Koorey works for Christchurch
easy access to a variety of trans- transport consultancy ViaStrada and
port services, such as public transport, ride- 3. Independent software specialises in sustainable transport, road
share, and rental vehicles/devices, typically developers safety, and future transport technology.
via smartphone “app” or internet website. Another approach is to
A pertinent question is: Who should have third-party providers
develop and manage MaaS services? develop and maintain apps themselves. ticketing systems, but it is slow going.
Three approaches have appeared While some independent MaaS systems Effective use of any MaaS system
to date: are essentially just aggregators of requires access to good transport service
transport service information with little data. To enable consistent availability
1. Private transport operators ability to book/pay for services (eg, of transport information, standardised
Many transport providers develop Transit app, Google Maps), some are means of presenting such data have
MaaS apps for their own services; exam- integrating the full travel experience. been developed, eg, General Transit
ples include Ola (rideshare) and NextBike For example, with the Whim app in Feed Specification (GTFS).
(bike-share). This is particularly relevant Helsinki, travellers can plan and pay for Many private providers have
for operators that provide multiple trans- trips across public transport, bikeshare, developed proprietary data formats for
port options they wish to vertically in- taxis, and carshare. Whim offers various their own apps rather than making them
tegrate. For example, Uber’s acquisition pay-as-you-go and monthly subscription available to others via open APIs. One
of Jump bike/e-scooter shares enable options and takes a small commission way to encourage greater openness by
it to provide a wider range of transport from trips booked with transport transport providers is for jurisdictions
options through its app. providers. to require open APIs when seeking
While dedicated operator apps en- The success of independent app to operate in their area (as done in
able easy automatic payment mecha- providers is again dependent on the Washington DC for private bike-share
nisms to be set up, different apps are ability to tap into available transport companies).
required for each operator. A traveller service data feeds and APIs. There
also has to manually check each app to is strong motivation for independent Conclusion
compare potential journey options. developers to develop a useful MaaS MaaS systems are still rapidly evolving,
offering that will be widely picked up by as various transport providers and service
2. Public government transport users and operators alike, so the apps are aggregators vie for market share and
organisations often high quality and updated frequently. public agencies attempt to find their role
An alternative approach is to have as providers and regulators/promoters.
centralised transport organisations Comparison of approaches For this reason, no obvious best fit
develop their own MaaS systems Different approaches have differing solution is apparent yet in the provision
incorporating a wide range of transport advantages and disadvantages and of MaaS, and many organisations have
options available, eg, NZTA’s “Choice” app certain trends are apparent within the stepped in to fill perceived gaps.
for Queenstown’s bus, ferry, taxi and other three main options. Table 1 attempts to In New Zealand, it is probably not in
transport services. Choice does not handle summarise the key differences. the sector’s best interests for government
payments directly to operators though. The biggest challenge is integrated organisations to attempt their own MaaS
This approach relies on all transport booking and payment systems. While Continued on 25
operators providing their system data many providers have
via some publicly available data feed seamlessly provided
or Application Programming Interface this within their own
(API). It is difficult to obtain all relevant apps, few systems
service data from private operators and have attempted to
ensure that it is up-to-date. Even trickier co-ordinate real-time
is the ability for MaaS systems to handle booking and payment
payments across multiple providers. of multiple providers.
While public organisations invest Some third-party
significant money into developing MaaS providers (like Masabi)
platforms, often the “official” app is are attempting to
considered far more clunky to use than provide common Table 1: Comparison of different MaaS development approaches
18 | EVTALK JUNE 2019 | www.evtalk.co.nzNEWSTALK
Audi to offer complete electric solution
Continued from page 4 the Audi is quiet - very quiet.
front seats are large and comfortable, A blast away from the
while the rear seats are very spacious – lights proved performance-
more so than the Mercedes-Benz EQC. wise the Audi is no Tesla, but
Even with the optional panoramic sunroof, arguably it does not need to
headroom is excellent. Knee space for be, and will likely still beat
the centre rear passenger is right due to most SUVs off the mark. I
the position of the climate controls. would hazard a guess that
The boot, at 660 litres with the seats despite the deficiency in
up, is proper Kiwi-family size. power over a Model S or
Behind the wheel, there is a slight X, in real-world conditions,
learning curve over the standard model, particularly on more dynamic
with a unique transmission shifter – the roads, the e-tron will not be
main shifter is rigid, and you select left behind. claim if you are coming down a steep hill,
Drive by pushing its centre-right section The Efficiency Assist system has a you can gain one km of range for every
forward and back. Pulling away in the range of automatic and manual models km travelled.
e-tron is quiet and smooth. that maximise range through reducing Our drive in the e-tron was
The length of the drive means we response or beefing up regenerative impressive but all too short. We will get
can’t give you too much insight into how braking. Regen can also be boosted to drive the car properly – and in right-
it handles, but we can see the steering is using steering-wheel-mounted paddles. hand drive rather than left-hand drive –
light and has a nice feel to it, the ride is Audi claims the car can generate up to in late July. Keep an eye on EVtalk.co.nz
excellent on imperfect city roads, and that 220kW of energy when regening, and for that report.
Wellington welcomes its first e-rubbish truck
Continued from 11
PPCS committed to introducing EVs
where possible in taking up a contract
for cleaning and rubbish removal at
WCC’s Parks, Sports and Recreation
and City Housing sites.
“We see this new truck as a major
step towards our target of converting
70% of our fleet to electric or hybrid by
2025,” PPCS general manager Sarel
Bloem says.
“We’re a family owned New Zealand
company and we’re passionate about
protecting the environment. That’s why
Justin Lester, left, and James Shaw join the welcome for the city’s first all-electric rubbish truck
we bought this truck and why we’ve
just ordered an additional six electric councillor David Lee says Wellington is the quicker we will be able to reach our
vehicles. This means in the next few continuing the journey to becoming a emission reducing goals.”
months 100% of the vehicles we use to zero-carbon capital by 2050. The Manco SEA EV10 Electricat is
service Wellington will be electric.” “We will only get there with help from based on a SEA Electric (NZ) SEA Drive
Wellington mayor Justin Lester says companies like PPCS getting on board. system with the rest built by Auckland-
the city has been installing EV chargers I’d encourage other companies with based Manco Environmental.
for residents’ use but needs to lead by large fleets to do the same.” Similar electric trucks are run by
example. Climate Change minister James Shaw Civic Contractors in Auckland which
“That’s why we’re converting our says it is important for New Zealand’s has 200 vehicles it aims to switch to
own fleet to electric and I’m delighted service fleet to convert to EVs. electric by 2025, and the Palmerston
that PPCS are joining us in this. This is “Unlike private vehicles, rubbish trucks, North City Council.
about making our city cleaner for us and taxis and delivery vehicles are on the road The trucks have a 120kW battery
future generations.” most of the working day,” he says. pack and a more than 180km range and
Climate change portfolio holder “The more of them that are electric, are recharged at their depots.
EVTALK JUNE 2019 | www.evtalk.co.nz | 19You can also read
