THE DRIVING FORCE OF NEW ZEALAND TRUCKING
New Zealand’s current electricity generation capacity will not meet future demand, particularly with an increasing number of EVs
Low-emissions projects go hand-in-hand with good roads T by Nick Leggett Chief Executive Road Transport Forum NZ
HE LACK OF CHARGING FACILITIES AND support infrastructure is one of the biggest barriers to the adoption of electric vehicles – in particular electric trucks – in New Zealand. So I was pleased to see a battery-swapping station gain Government and industry support as part of the push to find solutions to heavy transport emissions. The concept is pretty exciting: Etruck’s director Ross Linton plans to import a semi-robotic gantry from China that will be able to lift out and replace a two-and-a-half-tonne truck battery while you wait. This will not only result in electric trucks being able to keep running with minimal downtime, but also allow the batteries to be charged at a time when demand for electricity is lower. The Road Transport Forum (RTF) supports the ongoing development of alternative technologies that move us towards a low-carbon future. But to gain acceptance, the technology needs to be as simple and convenient as the status quo, and that means driving into a fuel station, filling up and driving off. Which is why this project sounds like it’s on the right track. We know the infrastructure required to support EVs and other alternative transport fuels is challenging. It will require a massive
amount of energy on top of what our current generation capacity is now, which is presenting the Government with some problems. One solution being looked at is what is called the NZ Battery Project – an investigation into whether places like Lake Onslow in Otago can be developed into pumped hydro schemes. It was also recently announced that energy companies Meridian and Contact are co-funding a $2million feasibility study to investigate the potential of a large-scale, renewable hydrogen production facility in the lower South Island that would basically replace the energy usage from the soon-to-close Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter. If the project ever gets up and running it would provide major decarbonisation possibilities for heavy transport, with hydrogen trucks becoming a much more realistic option. The RTF has stressed the need for electricity generation to match future demand; distribution infrastructure to match alternative fuel sources; and connectivity to support both technology in trucks and communications with customers as part of our recent submission to the NZ Infrastructure Commission. We have commented in our submission that the Government’s approach to encouraging and supporting transport innovation has so far lacked tangible action and coherence, and has an antiTruck & Driver | 43
