Entrepreneurial Actors in Transport Systems. An Energy Cultures Perspective

Abstract

Moving to a low carbon economy in New Zealand requires a considerable shift in the current transport system as a whole (Carrington et al, 2014). Indeed, the New Zealand transportation system in has a number of key issues including old vehicle stock, old inefficient ICE engines, lack of rail infrastructure investment, low petrol taxes relative to OECD countries and a focus on road building (Vivid Economics & University of Auckland Business School, 2012). Given the complexity involved, shifting the current transport socio-technical systems (with the reliance on the ICE) will be difficult. Starting a business that relies on shifting such an embedded regime can thus be a hard journey. This report looks at the entrepreneurs operating businesses that challenge the mainstream and dominant transportation regime in New Zealand. They can be considered brave people by introducing new products and services into the market that challenge the reliance on fossil fuels in transportation. This report explores each entrepreneurial venture to understand their operations, what alternatives is being offered and what the barriers are to that venture. With barriers comes opportunities and these entrepreneurs are seeing and seizing opportunities that may have the potential together to shift the regime from its current form into something that is more sustainable for the future.