Today I have the privilege to announce a world leading electric car sharing scheme for Christchurch, which will be underway in November. Initiated by the Council, it has brought together the public sector, private businesses and our city’s residents as well, to share in the new technologies which will become standard in the future.
A few months ago, after a competitive tender, the Council selected vehicle management company, Yoogo, as our partner to develop an electric car sharing scheme and together we have turned a dream into a reality. But the partnership has delivered more than we had even dreamed. The fact that it includes residents, takes this scheme to the next level before it’s even off the ground.
In order to realise a dream, you need to begin with someone who dreams the dream.
I would like to acknowledge Cr Vicki Buck, who chairs the Innovation and Sustainable Development Committee for her vision, passion and leadership. This is the way of the future.
It means Christchurch is demonstrating strong leadership in innovation and carbon emission reduction by being the first city in New Zealand, and one of the few cities internationally, that has a 100% battery electric car sharing service.
When you think about this in the context of the autonomous e-shuttle being trialled at Christchurch International Airport and other initiatives that are coming our way, you can see what an important role Christchurch is playing in trialling emerging technologies. The airport trial, for example, will assist central government write the regulatory framework for using autonomous vehicles on New Zealand roads.
Next I want to acknowledge As well as the car share partners who currently include:
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Aurecon
Beca
Canterbury District Health Board
Chapman Tripp
Christchurch International Airport
Environment Canterbury
Jacobs
Meridian Energy
Tonkin and Taylor
Warren and Mahoney
I would like to thank these 11 organisations for working with Council to enable this city-wide electric car sharing scheme to happen.
And as I've said, as well as the car share partners, Christchurch residents will also have the ability to book and use the electric vehicles. This creates the opportunity for people to 'give e-travel' a go.
Council also researched and developed a city-wide hub concept and worked with key stakeholders to make the car sharing service accessible across the city. These hubs are essential to the success of this scheme as this is where the charging infrastructure and vehicles will be located.
With Council working on setting up the battery electric off-street hub model, there was a significant amount of work required on assessing power supply availability for charging infrastructure for each potential car sharing hub in the city. I would like to thank Orion for working with Council, and now with Yoogo, on this important aspect of the scheme.
I would like to give special thanks to Yoogo for coming on-board with our shared vision for an innovative 100% battery electric car sharing service for Christchurch.
Electric vehicles will help to contribute to our target of reducing emissions. Changing 52 of Council’s compact cars will reduce emissions by an estimated 45 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.
But the much bigger impact will be the city-wide element of this – that is why we are so pleased that our car share partners came on board to get this scheme off the ground, and we expect this to grow as further businesses sign up and residents are able to use the service.
I would like to now ask Kirsten Corson, Yoogo General Manager, to update you on the car sharing service that will be rolled-out city-wide.
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