DRIVING A BETTER TRANSPORT FUTURE FOR ALL
Our mission is to lead the way towards a cleaner, more sustainable transport future for New Zealand. As passionate advocates for electric vehicles (EVs), we aim to reduce New Zealand’s reliance on fossil fuels by promoting the widespread adoption of electric mobility. Our organisation brings together key stakeholders, including industry leaders, policymakers, businesses, and consumers, to drive meaningful change in the transport sector.
Founded with a vision to tackle climate change, we believe that electric vehicles are a crucial solution to decarbonising New Zealand’s transport system. We support this vision by offering expert advice, up-to-date information, and practical resources to help individuals and organisations make informed decisions about transitioning to EVs.
Through our network of members and partners, we engage in policy advocacy, educational initiatives, and industry collaboration to ensure New Zealand moves towards a zero-emission transport system. We are dedicated to building a future where all Kiwis can enjoy the environmental, health, and economic benefits of electric vehicles.
Whether you’re looking to purchase your first EV, install charging infrastructure, or simply learn more about the advantages of electric transport, Drive Electric is here to guide you every step of the way.
Join us on our journey to create a cleaner, greener future for all New Zealanders.
Engagement with Government
We regularly meet with and advise key political figures and decision-makers within the transport sector, file advisory submissions on e-mobility related legislation and participate in government-led policy development groups
Engagement with Business
Most of our members are leaders in New Zealand Business. We provide much-needed guidance on transitioning business fleets to electric, and our agenda is informed by the input and concerns of the businesses we represent
Engagement with Media
Drive Electric has become a recognised voice of authority regarding electric vehicle policy and the benefits of e-mobility for business and individuals. We are often consulted by NZ News publications, radio, and TV
Over a Decade of Impact
Drive Electric New Zealand (formerly the ‘Association for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles’ – APEV) was founded by the Fukutake family in 2011. The founding members had incredible foresight for the future of transport; at the time, there were less than twenty electric vehicles in New Zealand. Today, our national EV fleet is almost 40,000 strong.
Constantly working towards a better, cleaner transport future
We exist to help accelerate electric vehicle uptake in New Zealand. While our initial focus was on electric light passenger vehicles (cars), our remit now extends across all aspects of transport from individual and public mobility to heavy transport and trade vehicles. So, over the past decade we have recruited members and contributors from all facets of the e-mobility ecosystem; Drive Electric is now a joint effort between leaders in energy, auto, charging, infrastructure, policy and finance.
One such leader is our Chairman, Mark Gilbert, who was appointed in 2014. Mark brought with him an extensive network of industry connections and a passion for the movement that has enabled Drive Electric to grow rapidly in membership numbers and influence. As the organisation has grown, so has our board; today, executives from several prominent New Zealand companies lend their expertise to the ongoing efforts of Drive Electric and the e-mobility movement. These board members have been key to our strong working relationships with the government agencies and industry groups needed to instigate change.
In 2014, we hosted our first Ministerial Roundtable. This was the initial step in what is now a long-running discourse between our organisation and the key governmental policy-makers in transport, energy and emissions reduction. We continue to make policy submissions, engage directly with government officials and business leaders, and to promote the benefits of electric vehicles to the public.
All of these efforts have grown our influence. We were closely involved with the introduction of the industry-changing Clean Car Discount incentives along with other EV-related policies in 2021, and Mark is the Chair of the government’s Clean Car Sector Leadership Group. Drive Electric is also now prolific in the New Zealand media as a trusted source of information on transport and climate related issues, and our network of members now includes the majority of the key businesses involved in the EV industry.
Explore other Drive Electric landmark moments here.
A Community of Change-Makers
Our members are a collective of businesses and individuals at the forefront of the electric vehicle movement. Together, we instigate change and impart expertise in the key conversations bringing New Zealand closer to a fully electric future.
