Electric car sharing scheme is coming to Christchurch

A reduction in emissions, more efficient use of vehicles and publically available car sharing will be delivered as part of a 100% battery electric car sharing service that will be launched in Christchurch (New Zealand) in November.

“An electric car sharing scheme is an exciting initiative for our city,” says Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel. “The fleet will deliver improved environmental and health outcomes and we are proud to be the first city in New Zealand, and one of the few cities internationally, that has an electric car sharing service.”

Christchurch City Council initiated the scheme to provide an electric car sharing service for businesses and residents and partnered with public and private sector organisations to seek a car sharing service provider.

Kevin Crutchley, Council’s Resource Efficiency Manager, and project manager for this scheme, says “Our electricity is largely generated from renewable energy, so this electric vehicle scheme 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.”

The first stage of the car share scheme will be launched in November this year. Overall, there will be 100 electric vehicles at 10 hubs around the city, making the operation “the largest transition from combustion engines to pure electric shared vehicles in the Southern Hemisphere.”

• For more information on Christchurch’s car share scheme:
  Peter Hume 
  Senior Communications Advisor 
  e-mail

© photo Greg O’Beirne – CC BY-SA 3.0