The Hon Megan Woods Minister of Energy and Resources last week announced that Europcar Mobility Group New Zealand has been granted funding through the latest round of the Government’s Low Emission’s Vehicles Contestable Fund. The joint funding of 202,768 New Zealand dollars ($128,975) will support the full roll-out of its “Electric Day Pass” product.

Electric Day Pass is a low emission airport-based round trip car rental/share service. Initially based at five airports throughout New Zealand, it will offer competitive rates to domestic travelers wanting to experience driving a battery-electric vehicle as part of their daily business or personal trip.

This co-funding will go towards the vehicle lease costs of 12 BMW i3’s, charging infrastructure and marketing, with the aim of increasing EV demand within the rental vehicle sector, which is the largest corporate purchaser of passenger vehicles in New Zealand. 

This grant reinforces Europcar’s long-term strategy by embracing the fast-changing nature of motoring and its lean towards green technology.