Future electric says Chinese intern engineer

POWERED: Johnson Yu refreshes the battery of one of Eastland Group's elctric-petrol hybrid vehicles. Picture by Liam Clayton

After six years of Auckland life and study, engineering student Johnson Yu is enjoying a stint in what he considers “the real New Zealand” through a three-month summer internship with Tairawhiti Roads in Gisborne. Since the end of November, in conjunction with Eastland Group, he has been studying potential electric vehicle charging stations on the district’s State Highway network, and looking to improve SH35 rest areas.

Mr Yu hails from Wuhan, the most populous city in central China with 12 million people and a rapidly-changing, “heart-pounding” public transport system. However, coming to Gisborne was a way to get away from Auckland traffic.

“I wanted to stay outside for this summer, and to feel and enjoy the real New Zealand. I knew Gisborne was first to see the sun rise. I’m enjoying the beaches, flat cycling roads, relaxed lifestyle, living on my own in cheap accommodation … and Rere Falls. I like the sound of nature when water falls on to the lower part of the river.”

With just two weeks left before he returned to Auckland for his final year, Mr Yu paid another visit to his favourite spot — Kaiti Hill.

“Kaiti Hill gives the perfect view of the city and bay.”

Internship offered wide range of opportunitiesThe internship here appealed because of wide-ranging opportunities. Studying an accelerated pathway three-year engineering degree at University of Auckland, the internship also allowed him to pursue his interest in structural and transport engineering — an interest fuelled by the rapid growth of his home city.

“New buildings, tunnels, light rail and subway networks are built there in a few years. Many bridges have eight lanes across the biggest river in China. A street corner can be totally changed within a year.

“I’m proud of what China is doing but prefer how New Zealand does things — tighter health and safety regulations and the way government can spend money on improving an individual’s circumstances. But New Zealand’s thinking would not fit in China.”

He continues to be amazed by the sheer scale of civil engineering projects.

“Engineering combines theory and practical application, sciences and the arts. I enjoy the art of designing and the complexity of managing projects. I’m interested in the concept of electric vehicles. They’re the future of vehicle transport. Charging stations here could be set up every 40 to 60 kilometres. Excluding the CBD, this could see six to 10 stations on the network.”

This region well-suited to electric vehiclesHis experience here had convinced him the region was well-suited for electric vehicles. As fast-charging can take around 30 minutes to charge from empty to 80 percent, other factors need to be considered, including the need for rest areas, shops, shade and toilet facilities.

“It’s cheaper to set up and maintain them close to high voltage lines. East Coast townships are good locations for charging stations and rest areas. We want to improve the rest areas — as has worked well in the Waioeka Gorge — and encourage people to stop to help reduce fatigue crashes. We could link them with a symbol like a Pohutukawa flower.”

Driving one of Eastland Group’s Outlander electric-hybrid four-wheel-drive vehicles had also shown the vehicle could handle the terrain and was the perfect vehicle to correct the public misconceptions surrounding EV and hybrid technology. It was four-wheel-drive, suitable for the region’s roads, and a seven-seater option. It has a small petrol engine, it can charge the car’s battery efficiently and also give power output when needed.

“It has a range of around 700km and fuel economy is around 1.8 litres/100km. More instant torque by electric engine, perfect to tow a boat.”

Overall, his Gisborne experience has given him valuable insights into working in an office, and how to talk to people, hold meetings and collaborate.

“In Gisborne, I can see what happens in real New Zealand, how things work, how the transport agency and council carries out its work, and how it manages annual forward planning. This has helped me see the bigger picture of the transport sector, how it affects people’s lives. I learn a lot of theory at university but not why a community needs a quality road or the management side of it.”

After graduating, he hopes to stay in New Zealand and work in a regional city with an engineering firm or government agency like Tairawhiti Roads.