Around 19 innovative transport projects, including the country’s first electric 90-tonne dump truck are among recipients of $6.4 million in Government co-funding under its Low Emission Transport Fund.
Other projects include a road construction crew using zero-emissions equipment, and an electric hydrofoil ferry.
“Whilst electric cars are taking off, a significant amount of fossil fuels are used in marine and off-road settings and are seen as areas that are harder to decarbonise,” said Energy and Resources Minister Hon Dr Megan Woods.
“These projects will prove the potential of electrification and other low-emissions technology. This kind of backing de-risks projects like these so there is more and faster uptake of similar technology.”
The Low Emission Transport Fund, administered by EECA, supports the demonstration and adoption of low-emission transport technology, innovation and infrastructure to accelerate the decarbonisation of the New Zealand transport sector.
The 19 projects are from two Low Emission Transport Fund rounds covering the maritime sector, as well as off-road equipment and technology. A total of $6.4 million in Government funding will leverage $18.2 million in applicant investment.
Round 7 vehicles, technology and off-road recipients included:
- Firth Industries ($137,000) for trialling an electric wheel loader in manufacturing concrete
- Reliance Transport ($500,000) for a reach stacker and 16-tonne fork hoists along with microgrid installation for a 350kW charger
- TDX ($498,625) to demonstrate three electric wheel loaders including one pre-production Volvo 20-tonne electric wheel loader
- Fletcher Concrete and Infrastructure ($499,500) for a Winstone Aggregates’ pilot of a 90-tonne electric dump truck in Belmont Quarry
- Leach & Co ($104,000) to replace a diesel-powered wheel loader with an electric XC968EV 19,850kg wheel loader in Southern landfill operations
- Brian Perry Civil ($432,855) to create a zero emission construction crew to support a goal of 30% carbon reduction by 2030 – using an electric excavator, tipper and wheel loader and installing 60kW and 90kW chargers.
