There are around 3500 Spark phoneboxes in New Zealand. Any Kiwi in their 30’s or above, will remember these phone boxes from back in the day when they were Telecom Phone Card boxes. In order to use them, you’d buy colourful and often quirky phone cards that allowed you to call home and ask mum if we could go over to our friend’s house when you were at the mall after school. I felt proper grown up with my phone card in my pocket.
EVS29
DAY ONE AT EVS29 IN MONTREAL
Imagine, for a moment, being at the BEST event/camp you could think of. Surrounded by people that share your interests, intellect, and often sense of humour.
Steve and I standing with my FAVOURITE car from the show, which I found out later belongs to my new friend Brian Kent!
Top to Toe Road Trip April 2016
On 6th April 2016, 6 cars met at Cape Reinga, to kick off the annual #leadingthecharge road trip. The aim of the road trip was to talk to as many members of the public as possible as a way of promoting electric vehicle (EV) technology.
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The Better NZ Trust in Thames
Strat Peters, Sam Peters, Dee West, Steve West, Margaret Wood, Ken Wood, John Leenman
For those of you who aren’t aware, my name is Dee West, and I write most of the blogs you’ll see on the Trust Website.
I’ve lived in New Zealand for more than 20 years now, and I started my life here in Thames as an exchange student when I was 16 years old.
Thames is a beautiful, sleepy little gateway town that leads to the Coromandel peninsula. Beach towns, firth towns, excellent food, an eclectic mix of people and communities, and a real sense of connection between local businesses and residents are just the start of what makes Thames a magical place.
ChargeNet Z Skyway Opens
OPENING OF Z SKYWAY STATION ON APRIL 8TH
What can we possibly say about the amazing people at Z Energy! They are wonderful on so many levels.
Gerri was the very first of a now huge list of people and companies that approached Steve West at Charge Net NZ, interested in bringing the energy future of Electric Vehicle ownership to the New Zealand public.
Z is an Energy company, not a petrol station, and they are working hard to bring a cleaner, brighter, and more socially resilient future to Kiwis. We have huge respect for their community outreach program, and we have enjoyed working with the team in our capacities as Charge Net NZ and the Better NZ Trust.
Opening Z skyways with some of the team at Z, including the truly wonderful Judy Ryan, and Steve West and Chelsea Sexton was a huge honour and a major feather in both the Z and Charge Net NZ caps. The Better NZ Trust wish both amazing companies well as the continue #LeadingTheCharge toward a better future for all of New Zealand.
Sylvia Park
SYLVIA PARK
Sylvia Park and Kiwi Properties have been #LeadingTheCharge with their environmental initiatives for years.
Sylvia Park mall hosted the very first public charging station at any major shopping centre in the country!
Please take a moment to read through the amazing sustainability initiatives that the team at Kiwi Properties are championing here in New Zealand.
Unfortunately for our team/convoy, the stop at Sylvia park was flanked by the worst weather bomb we encountered on the entire road trip. The rain came down and the wind howled, but it did not dampen the spirits of our dedicated team and trustees!
Here is a picture of the cars on the rainy afternoon on April 8th 2016.
Thank you to everyone who braved the wild weather to join us on the day!
The Warehouse Albany
THE WAREHOUSE ALBANY
The Warehouse in Albany was the second ever fast charging station to be installed by Charge Net NZ, who are a major sponsor of not only the road trip, but the Better NZ Trust in general.
Touring Electric Cars Spark Interest
Interest in fully electric cars is on the rise, according to a group of enthusiasts who visited Oamaru as part of a national tour last week.
[Oamaru Mail - 29th April 2016]
Electric Super Car Leads Silent Revolution
A Tesla was among a group of electric cars which visited the Octagon, as part of the Leading the Charge nationwide tour, promoting electric vehicles for the sake of the environment.
[Otago Daily Times - 22nd April 2016]
New Zealand Gets First Renault Zoe Glimpse at Leading the Charge Event in Wellington
New Zealanders got their first look at the Renault Zoe last Friday at the Leading the Charge event in Wellington.
[Lucire.com - 20th April 2016]
South Canterbury's First Public Electric Car Charger Officially Unveiled in Timaru
Timaru's charger opening coincided with the arrival of the Leading the Charge road trip convoy, which is travelling from Cape Reinga to Bluff to highlight the benefits of electric vehicles.
[Timaru Herald - 20th April 2016]
Two Electric Vehicle Stations to Open in South Canterbury on Wednesday
The Leading the Charge road trip arrive in time for the opening of two charging stations in Timaru and Waimate.
[Stuff.co.nz - 18th April 2016]
Plugging Electronics
Electric cars are alive, kicking and about to spark a revolution, says a visiting US advocate.
[Otago Daily Times - 18th April 2016]
Chance to See What All the Fuss is About
Whether you believe they are the way of the future, or are simply curious about electric cars, a convoy of them will be passing through Otago next week on the Leading the Charge Road Trip and the public is invited along.
[Drivesouth.co.nz - 16th April 2016]
Video - Sam Wallace Puts an Electric Tesla Car Through its Paces
The Breakfast weatherman says the model 3 Tesla will 'change the face of motoring'.
[TVNZ - 15th April 2016]
Electric Car Drives Itself Along Wellington Motorway Using Autopilot Download
Tesla Model S owner Sean Dick with his car on autopilot on the Wellington motorway.
[Stuff.co.nz - 15th April 2016]
Say Hello to Zoe, Renault's Electric Offering
Renault unveils their new EV in Wellington - the Zoe five-door hatch.
[Stuff.co.nz - 14th April 2016]
Wellington City Council Leads the Charge in Clean Transport
Wellingtonians came to see and ride in electric cars and experience the future of environmentally sustainable transport.
Rally Leading the Charge for Electric Vehicle Use
Curious Palmerston North residents take a look at a Tesla Model S at the "Leading the Charge" electric vehicle rally in The Square.
Tesla Electric Car Comes to Town
The Tesla S will come humming into Taupo on Wednesday April 13, along with the other electric cars.
Electric Cars on Eat Streat
Visitors to Eat Streat enjoyed an additional treat with their lunch when a range of electric cars, including a top of the line Tesla, went on display.
Roadtrip Promotes Electric Vehicles. NZ Lags Behind World
Fuel efficiency standards would drive the cost of fuel-powered cars up and encourage more drivers into electric vehicles, according to a Waikato University professor.
Electric Cars Stop at Thames
Thames' Civic Centre is a hotspot for anything about electric cars on Sunday 10 April.
NZ Falls Short on Electric Vehicle Policy and Product US Expert Chelsea Sexton
American EV advocate Chelsea Sexton reckons the New Zealand car industry and government are getting things backwards when it comes to plug in vehicles.
EV Convoy Heading to Thames
A convoy of electric vehicles travelling from Cape Reinga to Bluff will be stopping into Thames.
New Zealand Long EV Road Trip Under Way
Electric vehicles left Cape Reinga yesterday bound for Bluff as part of a drive to improve the New Zealand public's perception and understanding around the technology.
Electric Car Star Hits the Road to Waikato Campus
An international electric car superstar, electric vehicle owners, enthusiasts, and researchers are coming to the University of Waikato in a bid to help tackle this challenge by sharing their knowledge and passion for Electric Vehicle Technology.