ROAD NEWS
UBCO GETS GOVERNMENT-BACKED BOOST
K iwi eco-tech pioneer UBCO is gearing up for widespread adoption of its unique utility electric bikes across New Zealand farms , businesses and households thanks to funding from government-backed Carbn Group . Carbn Group , with investment from New Zealand Green Investment Finance Ltd ( NZGIF – also known as the ‘ Green Fund ’), is a crown-owned company established to accelerate low emissions investment in New Zealand , is partnering with Tauranga headquartered UBCO to provide asset finance for a new subscription service model . The partnership will fast-track UBCO CEO Timothy Allan ’ s vision to have an UBCO electric utility vehicle on every farm in New Zealand , which represents a $ 1.4 billion per year opportunity for the company . “ After introducing the subscription model to the urban environment with our partnership with Domino ’ s , it made sense to extend this to the agricultural sector which is where our business was built ,” says Allan . “ This coincides with the introduction of the off-road 2x2 Work Bike and now with the backing of a finance partner that is dedicated to the transition away from carbon fuels , the offer makes sense for farms ’ cashflow and planning .” Instead of buying an EV outright , UBCO ’ s subscription model means businesses can pay a fixed monthly fee covering the bike , battery and servicing while UBCO retains ownership and stewardship of the product . “ Subscription means low upfront costs , and it includes servicing and maintenance so there are no unplanned costs . It ’ s basically a no-hassle way of running a bike or a fleet of bikes . And the bikes are a more sustainable transport option , both during use and at the end of life .” Almost 50 per cent of UBCO sales historically have been from the agricultural sector . The latest data shows there are approximately 51,000 farm holdings in New Zealand . There are 175,000 registered motorbikes in New Zealand , with the unregistered market operating primarily on farmland estimated at over double that . In New Zealand , the transport sector accounts for around 19 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions . Transport is New Zealand ’ s fastest-growing emissions sector and emissions have risen by more than 70
Grant Coombes has owned a fleet of UBCO 2X2s for the past five years across his 350 hectares of Waikato farmland . per cent since 1990 , with heavy farm bikes and machinery a notorious repeat offender . “ Our funding from Carbn Group to expand our vehicle subscription model is critical and comes at a time when interest in carbon emissions is at an all-time high . We ’ re thrilled to be leading the charge from Aotearoa in a matter of global importance .”
20 KIWI RIDER