Kiwi transport start-up launched
ZeroC, New Zealand’s first 100 per cent electric transport company, is driving the change needed to combat a climate crisis by developing a range of zero-carbon transport services designed specifically for government, business and consumers.
ZeroC was launched at a ceremony on August 14 at the Dowse Art Museum in Lower Hutt, attended by Wellington City Council mayor Justin Lester and Hutt Valley mayor Ray Wallace.
One of ZeroC’s founding directors Dr Thomas Kiefer believes actions speak louder than words when it comes to fighting climate change.
"We’re helping organisations address one the biggest challenge of our time - climate change by giving them a practical way to reduce their own carbon footprint. We all must contribute to fighting this and building a better future."
"ZeroC is committed to driving real, meaningful change. We’re able to provide customers accumulated carbon reduction reports, which in turn can be reported to stakeholders to demonstrate progress towards meeting carbon reduction commitments".
"We’ve only been operating for several weeks now but in that time our customers have already reduced their footprint by a staggering 160 KG of CO2 in this short period of time."
The current offering includes ZeroC Rides - a business-to-business chauffeur service, and ZeroC Rentals - a consumer and business rental car service.
A ZeroC courier service is also being explored for the future. The company currently operates in the Wellington region and is planning on a nationwide expansion in 2020 . The electric vehicle fleet is made up of Hyandai Ioniq and BMW i3 vehicles.
For its chauffeured rides service, ZeroC handpicks professional drivers who are background checked, fully trained and paid on average above the living wage. Staff members and customers can book a ZreoC Ride using the ZeroC mobile app.
Currently, the ZeroC Rides service is focused on the business-to-business model, serving government and businesses but is looking to expand to a consumer model for the wider public in the future.
Kiefer said: "The feedback we’ve had so far has been overwhelmingly positive - businesses are excited to be moving with the times and switching to electric, there’s a lot of enthusiasm and commitment around moving to a zero-carbon future."
Wellington City Council mayor Justin Lester said it’s fantastic to see ZeroC, a business with a focus on tackling climate change, launch in Wellington. "Wellington City Council has put the protection of the environment and climate change at the centre of our decision making and its companies like ZeroC that we want to support to achieve our goal of becoming a zero-carbon city."
Kiefer urges government agencies, and businesses to step up and urgently accelerate the implementation of sustainable transport alternatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"ZeroC’s road map is far from complete, but it’s the first step in our commitment to sustainable and ethical transport. We firmly believe that a small group of passionate people can change the world, in fact, it was said by anthropologist Margaret Mead, it’s the only thing that ever has."
