Drive Electric Member Yoogo, an innovative Kiwi fleet management company, has been selected by the Christchurch City Council to implement the largest transition of combustion engines to shared electric vehicles in the Southern Hemisphere.
Supported by EECA’s Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund, Yoogo will initially launch 70 electric vehicles across three city hubs in late November, with an additional 30 to follow in February 2018 across 10 locations in total.
Kirsten Corson, General Manager of Yoogo, says Yoogo’s pure electric car sharing model breaks down barriers around cost and charging infrastructure making pure electric vehicles accessible and affordable.
“The pure electric car-sharing platform is a smart and sustainable way to get around town for businesses and everyday Kiwis,” says Ms Corson. “Yoogo will deliver an experience that is easy, enjoyable and affordable. Cantabrians will pay for the time they use the car and Yoogo takes care of everything else. Users can simply book online and access vehicles via the Yoogo app or swipe card.”
Kevin Crutchley, Council’s Resource Efficiency Manager and project manager for this city-wide scheme, says “This new, innovative, 100 per cent battery electric transport service is an exciting development for Christchurch. New Zealand’s electricity is mostly generated from renewable energy so this electric vehicle offering will reduce our city’s carbon emissions. Also using a transport service with zero tail pipe emissions will improve air quality and have positive health benefits for the residents of Christchurch.”
Neal Barclay, General Manager of Retail at Meridian Energy, says “We’re proud to be a Foundation Partner and Yogoo’s electricity provider, helping more Cantabrians experience the benefits of pure electric transport.
“As New Zealand’s largest generator of renewable energy, Meridian is excited to work with like-minded businesses to increase the use of pure electric vehicles and reduce our country’s transport emissions.”
