NetGuide NZ - Auckland embraces electric vehicles with trial lanes

With the recent announcement by Tesla of their new Tesla 3 model, electric cars are quickly becoming part of the mainstream when it comes to daily drivers.

The New Zealand Government is inviting selected participants to take part in a trial which aims to increase the ownership of electric vehicles in New Zealand.

The trial allows priority access for electric vehicles at five different bypass lanes across Auckland. The priority bypass lanes are also known as T2 and Truck lanes.

These locations are:

T2 and Truck lane adjacent to the onramp northbound from Coronation Road to SH20 South-western Motorway (Mangere/Manukau)

T2 Lane adjacent to the onramp northbound from Rimu Road to SH20 South-western Motorway (Mangere)

T2 and Truck lane adjacent to the onramp northbound from South Eastern Highway to SH1 Southern Motorway (Mt Wellington)

T2 and Truck lane adjacent to the onramp eastbound from Lincoln Road, to SH16 North-western Motorway (Henderson)

T2 and Truck lane adjacent to the onramp northbound from Mt Wellington Highway to SH1 Southern Motorway (Mt Wellington)

An electric vehicle, as per the trial, is one that is either partially or fully fuelled by a battery that requires charging via plugging into an electric power point. This means that conventional hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Prius or the Honda Civic Hybrid are not eligible.

The Transport Agency hopes to better understand the impact and viability of giving special access to electric vehicles at certain locations. The impact on traffic volumes and journey times for electric drivers and other drivers will be considered.

The long term goal for the Government is to double the number of electric vehicles in New Zealand each year to reach 64,000 by the end of 2021. The Government says such a result would significantly help to reduce New Zealand's carbon emission footprint.

This goal becomes more realistic with electric vehicles becoming more affordable and readily available for consumers.

The Tesla 3, which begins production in mid-2017, begins at US$35,000 (~NZD$58,000) and is a milestone in affordable electric vehicles and overall reduction of carbon emissions produced from gas vehicles.

Source: NetGuide NZ - Auckland embraces electric vehicles with trial lanes