The New Zealand Transport Agency’s decision to look at boosting its electric vehicle fleet and invest in charging infrastructure has been welcomed by Drive Electric.

The not-for-profit group, which promotes the benefits of EV technology in New Zealand, congratulates NZTA on the move.

“NZTA’s proposal to add 41 EVs to its fleet in 2018 shows it is leading from the front in adopting technology that will eventually dominate the automotive sector in just a few years,” Drive Electric chairman Mark Gilbert says.

“With the Labour-New Zealand First government looking to the public sector to adopt EV technology as part of its coalition agreement, NZTA is getting on the wave early.”

Having the agency which is responsible for maintenance of New Zealand’s highways support EVs in this manner has the potential to drive up public interest, Gilbert says.

NZTA’s intention to invest in its own charging infrastructure to support the EV fleet is also a positive sign, Gilbert says.

“Looking into this type of investment shows the organisation is serious about using EVs in the long-term and wants to make it easy for staff to drive the vehicles. It is a signal we hope other government agencies will pick up on.”

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