GM appointed

Drive Electric – the industry body focused on promoting the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) in New Zealand – has appointed Eric Pyle as its general manager.

Pyle is also the chief executive of the New Zealand Wind Energy Association and that’s a role he will continue.

“We are thrilled to have Eric come on board,” says Mark Gilbert, chairman of Drive Electric. “EVs are a marriage between the electricity sector and car industry, and Eric brings a wealth of experience and contacts from the electricity sector.”

Pyle says: “Drive Electric is working closely with electricity retailers, lines companies and gentailers, and has seen its membership double in the past few months. I’m greatly looking forward to helping continue this momentum.”

EVs are increasing in numbers internationally and in New Zealand. This country now boasts 743 EVs – a figure that has doubled in the past year. Globally, there are close to one million EVs and their year-on-year growth rate now sits as more than 70 per cent.

“It’s an exciting time to be joining the industry,” adds Pyle. “With our high proportion of renewable energy, and an equivalent fuel cost of 30 cents per litre, EVs make so much sense for New Zealand.”

EVs are seen by some as a key to reducing this country’s CO2 emissions, with those from road transport sitting at about 40 per cent of New Zealand’s total of such emissions.

“EVs are great from a number of perspectives,” comments Gilbert. “Not only do they result in lower CO2 emissions, they reduce our national oil bill, improve air quality, improve health, reduce noise pollution and run on 100 per cent home-grown Kiwi energy that’s 80 per cent renewable.”