Electric cars' 'time has come'

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New Zealand's first electric cars are expected to take to the roads within months.

Meridian Energy is set to announce a deal with a Japanese car manufacturer to introduce a small fleet of electric vehicles for trial and promotion purposes.

An announcement is expected in about a month, with the introduction of vehicles following soon after.

It comes after the company struggled to find available vehicles suitable for New Zealand roads, with demand for the energy-efficient cars severely outstripping supply as petrol prices - and environmental concerns - bite.

"We are on the cusp of some exciting developments in this area," said K-J Kells, Meridian's electric vehicle programme leader.

"There is absolutely no reason for people to be sceptical about this - it is a technology whose time has come."

The electric car will be the subject of a public lecture series organised by the Institute of Professional Engineers, beginning in Wellington on Monday.

It comes as major car manufacturers ramp up production of electric vehicles, with many set for commercial release within months.

The challenge for New Zealand is to get cars in the face of overwhelming international demand.

"It is fair to say we hadn't expected the levels of interest on electric cars from a demand point of view," said Ms Kells. "Demand has far exceeded supply of the vehicles."

One internationally renowned electric vehicle expert says New Zealand should look closer to home for its future fleet, and believes we could be mass-producing our own cars by 2015.

Waikato University professor Mike Duke says small, two-person cars could be built here and sold for as little as $10,000 each.

Both Ms Kells and Dr Duke say Government support will be critical.

"In terms of more scale, ultimately it will come down to the level of support the Government offers in terms of trying to kick-start the industry in New Zealand," said Ms Kells, adding that subsidies and other incentives would be crucial.

"They will go to countries where they have the best chance of being successful."

New Zealand's largely renewable electricity sources make it an attractive proposition, however, for companies entering the electric car market.

- © Fairfax NZ News