Fund aims to plug charging gaps

Expanding the charging network for electric vehicles (EV) is one of the key targets for $4.5 million of co-funding that is up for grabs.

Dr Megan Woods, Minister for Energy and Resources, has opened round 10 of the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund (LEVCF), which offers up to $6.5m a year to projects encouraging greener transport options.

She says the focus for the latest round of cash handouts are EV charging, technology and services, and demonstrating light and heavy low-emissions vehicles.

Woods says New Zealand needs to fill gaps in the charging network and make more facilities available at key locations.

“Over nine rounds, the investment focus of the fund has evolved, from growing awareness of electric vehicles to addressing barriers to their uptake and, in the latest rounds, expanding our public charging network and investing in New Zealand-first, innovative technology,” she explains.

“Through the fund, we’ve helped ensure Kiwis can charge their electric vehicles the length of the country, we’ve invested in work to develop battery repurposing and recycling, to upskill the industry, and organisations from small community groups to nationwide transport companies have shown there is a low-emission vehicle solution for just about every need.”

Applicants for the 10th funding round need to submit their proposals to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) by April 14, 2021. 

For more details about the fund, or to apply, click here.