Climate Change Minister James Shaw announces the Government's Emission Reduction Plan at Parliament. Video / Mark Mitchell
New Zealand's first electric milk tanker, Milk-E, has been officially launched by the Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods, in Morrinsville.
Local Government, Iwi, Industry and Fonterra employees were also present to recognise the milestone in the decarbonisation of New Zealand's heavy transport, while also recognising the team behind the build.
The tanker is part of Fonterra's fleet decarbonisation work and one of a number of programmes helping the co-op towards its sustainability goals.
The electric milk tanker will operate out of Fonterra's Waitoa site, which was also the site of New Zealand's largest fleet of electric milk trucks 100 years ago. Photo / Supplied
The team at the co-op's Morrinsville workshop had done "a fantastic job" with the tanker, Fonterra chief operating officer, Fraser Whineray said.
"Being a New Zealand first, there's been a lot of creative thinking and Kiwi ingenuity to bring Milk-E to life."
The electric milk tanker will operate out of Fonterra's Waitoa site, which Whineray said was fitting, given it was the site of New Zealand's largest fleet of electric milk trucks 100 years ago.
The Waitoa plant is also near supplying farms on relatively flat land, so the co-op can do shorter runs and reduce battery consumption with fewer hills.
Battery configuration changes gave the team an opportunity to trial additions to improve milk collection efficiencies, reduce safety concerns, and reduce the amount of work required to customise a Fonterra tanker.
A battery swap system is being installed at the Waitoa site to trial how this could work within a fleet to minimise downtime from battery charging.
"It's been great to see the team turn challenges into opportunities - so, in addition to trialling Milk-E's on-road ability, we're also trialling a new electric pump, hose configuration and cabinetry," Whineray said.
Minister for Energy and Resources Megan Woods and Fonterra's chief operating officer Fraser Whineray at the launch. Photo / Supplied
Milk-E was named by Fonterra farmer Stephen Todd from Murchison after the co-op held a "Name the E-tanker" competition which it described as "fierce but friendly".
Fonterra received co-funding from the Government's Low Emissions Transport Fund (LEFT), which is administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).
EECA group manager investment and engagement, Nicki Sutherland, said the authority was "pleased to see this project come to life".
"New Zealand has ambitious targets to rapidly reduce carbon emissions, and transport is key, but heavy freight has proven hard to decarbonise.
"If successful, this project could be replicated across a number of New Zealand businesses."
