Tauranga-based e-motorbike maker UBCO announces its entry into the Australian market after securing a major deal with Australia Post.
UBCO is supplying Australia Post with a fleet of 175 lightweight, zero-emission, all-electric motorbikes.
The partnership comes after a comprehensive trial of UBCO’s vehicles in several major Australian states, which included testing in various urban and rural environments. This agreement enabled UBCO to collaborate closely with delivery workers to create a vehicle tailored to their specific needs regarding range, speed, safety, and accessibility.
UBCO’s chief executive, Oliver Hutaff, conveyed his excitement regarding the collaboration:
“We’re excited to work with Australia Post as they roll out this new fleet.”
“By partnering with Australia Post, we’ve developed a vehicle that meets the rigorous demands of high-use delivery while reducing environmental impact and operating costs,” he said.
“We have steadily been trialling electric fleet solutions since our humble beginnings a decade ago on a New Zealand farm,” Hutaff added.
Australia Post’s chief executive Paul Graham characterised the new collaboration as a “pivotal moment” for the company and its strategy for sustainable operations moving forward.
“This new fleet allows us to electrify a broader spectrum of routes, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and further advancing our sustainability goals,” he said.
“We are proud to integrate cutting-edge solutions that benefit our team members, our customers, and the environment.”
UBCO is one of the several Kiwi businesses that have recently penetrated the Australian market.
In July, Evnex, a Christchurch-based electric-vehicle (EV) charger manufacturer, redirected its focus to Australia in response to decreasing EV sales in New Zealand.
Founder Ed Harvey mentioned that increasing sales in Australia would make it easier for the company to raise capital, especially after the New Zealand government discontinued subsidies for electric vehicles.