Looking forward – 2016
In 2016 we will see a roll out of charging infrastructure across New Zealand. Beginning at the end of 2015, it will get underway in earnest in 2016 – Thanks to Vector, Charge Net, Z and a number of lines companies etc. The Government will announce an EV package at some stage in 2016. Drive Electric in a […]
Council checklist
Here are some suggestions for how councils can help encourage the uptake of EV. I welcome your feedback on this. Many thanks to Sigurd Magnusson for putting these ideas together. The key ideas are: Fleet pilot. Fleet transition. Public charging. Promote what the council is doing. Website content Publish why private individuals should own electric cars, […]
EVolocity
By Rob McEwen. The EVolocity programme, which features a high school competition in which teams design & build their own electric vehicles, as well as an end of year event at Ruapuna Motorsport Park in Christchurch showcasing electric vehicles and smart energy solutions, has just concluded its second year and is looking to expand into […]
The history of the Norwegian EV association
An excellent video (20 minutes – well worth watching) that outlines the history of the Norwegian equivalent of Drive Electric. The point is that the Norwegian DE had a very difficult start. The lesson I take from this video is that we should not beat ourselves up about the difficulties in getting EVs up and […]
A few days with a Tesla in Wellington
Congratulations to Sigurd Magnusson who did a tremendous job organising to have a Tesla (courtesy Steve and Dee West) in Wellington for a few days. Let’s just say that the Tesla was very busy. Sig took a number of people for drives as did I. The tally goes something like this: 2 MPs, 3 mayors, […]
Save the date: 21st March – National EV conference with Keynote: Christina Bu, Director General of the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association
We are privileged to host Christina Bu in New Zealand for a week. As part of her visit we are organising a 1 day conference in Auckland on 21st March. Details will be on the Drive Electric Website shortly. If you would like to sponsor this event or exhibit at it please contact me. The focus […]
Upcoming Regional Drive Electric event – Auckland: 27 January
Let’s come together to share what we have learned so far and find out who is doing what in the Auckland Region, in relation to Electric Vehicles. This event provides an opportunity for companies/organisations to network, to learn from each other, and to understand the various initiatives organisations are planning. The invitation is open to […]
Chargers, chargers, chargers
The roll out of fast chargers is underway in New Zealand. From Dunedin to Whangarei charging infrastructure is being deployed. Northpower and Whangarei take the prize for the first fast charger. Charge Net and Kaiwaka was next. Now Vector is in on the act with the roll out of some 30+ chargers across Auckland. Dargaville, […]
Focus on a hero – Martin Kane, Timaru
This month’s hero is based in Timaru. Martin Kane is a Leaf owner with big plans for charging infrastructure in the rural South Island. His aim is to get enough charging stations in place, to drive his Leaf from Timaru across to the West Coast via the Haast Pass and back via Arthur’s Pass. On […]
Climate change and Paris
Everyone is talking about COP21 and the outcomes. I remember reading in the late 1990s an analysis by a renowned expert on institutions, on why the Kyoto Protocol would fail. The point was that it was a legal, binding agreement so people would spend their time being clever, finding loopholes etc. New Zealand was clever […]
