Research confirms environmental benefits of electric vehicles

A Life Cycle Analysis report commissioned by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has found that electric vehicles (EVs) are better for the New Zealand environment than petrol or diesel powered vehicles, across the lifecycle of the vehicle as well as in use. The Life Cycle Analysis was conducted by an international consultancy team […]
More electric car charging stations on the cards for Wellington region

By Michael Forbes. Electric car owners could soon have more places to ‘plug in’ across the Wellington region. Greater Wellington Regional Council has taken the first tentative steps towards getting a full network of “fast charging” stations in place across Wellington, Porirua, Hutt Valley, Kapiti and Wairarapa. Councillors voted on Tuesday to convene a working […]
Electric vehicle owners gather in Upper Hutt for rally

By Simon Edwards. Wellington region electric vehicle owners – and others keen to plug-in to the environment-friendly transport trend – are being invited to a get-together in Upper Hutt this Sunday. The drivers will visit Efil Doog Garden of Art, Eco Park, where the new owners Paul and Glenda Arnold are keen electrical vehicle advocates […]
Vicki Buck: Christchurch must take a lead on electric vehicles

Vicki Buck, Deputy Mayor of Christchurch, outlines her vision for Christchurch and what could make it A Great Place to Be. What is your vision for Christchurch? “Anything is possible – In amongst a speedier rebuild and sorting the city’s financials, I’d like us to retain that sense of innovation and the feeling that anything […]
Kiwi government mythbusters turn attention to EVs

The New Zealand government’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has been doing some mythbusting around electric vehicles (EVs). It claims that a new Life Cycle Analysis report dispels a couple of long-held assumptions about EVs and proves that plug-in vehicles are better for the environment overall than petrol or diesel cars. The report addresses what […]
Why the 2017 Nissan Leaf Electric Car Could Be a Very Big Deal

By John Rosevear. More and more information is leaking out about what Nissan has in mind for the next iteration of its battery-electric Leaf sedan. If what we’re hearing is true, then Tesla Motors and General Motors could have an interesting market battle on their hands. What makes the new Leaf a big deal? For starters, its range. […]
Rapid electric vehicle chargers unveiled in CBD

By Grant Bradley. Vector has launched the first rapid electric vehicle chargers in downtown Auckland. The two chargers, which can each replenish EV batteries in 15 to 30 minutes, were unveiled at Vector’s Hobson St substation yesterday. During the next eight months, Vector will install at least another 15 rapid chargers and a similar number […]
Kaiwaka charging into the future

Dee West outlines the installation of the first Charge Net NZ fast charger in New Zealand. Kaiwaka is helping Electric Vehicle owners from Northland and Auckland to travel freely to and from the “Winterless North”. Jaques Foursquare in Kaiwaka is home to the first of 75 DC fast charging stations. No strangers to transport innovation, […]
Jaguar plans an all electric SUV for 2017

By Steve Hanley. Jaguar says it will introduce an all electric SUV with 300 miles of range by 2017. The timing is critical, as Audi says its electric SUV, the Q6 e-tron quattro, will begin sales in 2018 and the Tesla Model X will begin volume sales in 2016. The automotive marketplace is hungry for SUVs. […]