10 Jun 2016

An electric vehicle charging symbol designed by Christchurch City Council staff is being adopted nationwide.

The symbol was designed by Council resource efficiency programme manager Kevin Crutchley and graphic designer Lauren McDonald and was officially launched on Friday by Transport Minister Simon Bridges and Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

It has been gazetted by the NZ Transport Agency for use at electric vehicle charging stations across the country.

“Electric vehicles have important environmental and health benefits for cities and with increased production and improvements in technology they will become more and more accessible both in terms of cost and usability,’’ said Mayor Dalziel.

“The Council is committed to promoting the use of electric vehicles and it is so pleasing that Council staff were able to create a recognisable symbol that will be rolled out nation-wide.

“Through the Council-established Christchurch Electric Vehicle Forum, involving Orion, Contact Energy, Meridian Energy and MainPower, a network of charging stations throughout Greater Christchurch will be developed. These charging locations have been mapped and local site negotiations are underway.”

“Options for a shared 100% electric car fleet for the city are also being investigated,’’ Mayor Dalziel said.

“With the Government launching a package of measures last month to increase the uptake of electric vehicles, Council is committed to working collaboratively to continue to remove barriers to the further uptake of electric vehicles.”