Alsco Leads The Way
Alsco, formerly NZTS, is a laundry business with a long history in NZ. Yesterday it launched the first long haul EV road freighter in NZ to a crowd of approx 170 people at Eden Park in Auckland.
I went along to the launch wondering why this was a particularly important moment, when EV Heavy Transport already exists. To name a few local examples: the WEL Networks lines truck, the Waste Management rubbish trucks, Container Co's truck and trailer unit operating in Penrose.
Yes, it is a long haul road freighter, which is indeed new in NZ, but it is to be utilised on Alsco's shortest heavy distribution route—some 284 kilometres. So what was this all about? I was soon to be impressed.
Read moreNew Kiwi Driver FE Street Racing
[post by Rachelle Tilsley - 29 Sept 2019]
ABB FIA Formula E Championship 6th Season
Following hot on the heels of last Thursday's announcement that Panasonic Jaguar has renewed Mitch Evans' contract with a multi-year sign-on, we hear that yet another New Zealander will be racing in the coming Formula E series.
Double FIA WEC (World Endurance) World Champion, and former Formula One driver, Brendon Hartley has signed with the all-American FE team Geox Dragon.
The 6th season will begin on the streets of Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on November 22nd, 2019
What's Happening in International Markets?
[[article by JoséPontes EV-Sales - tracking world EV trends - 23 September 2019]
Two emerging European markets for EV are bucking the general trends: Romania and Portugal.
Transfagarasan highway, Romania: arguably the most beautiful road in Europe
Hamilton Electric Vehicles Charges Along
[Article first published in EVTALK, September 2019, www.evtalk.co.nz]
It’s been seven months since the inaugural Hamilton Electric Vehicles, the city’s only EV centre, opened in early February. Dealer principal Nicholas Down says the enquiries have been huge, which is “absolutely phenomenal”. “We can’t keep up with it!” Down says.
Read moreIntroducing our Newest Trustee!
The Better NZ Trust has appointed a new trustee to join the board, now making it a total of six.
Read more
Your Submissions: CCS & CCD
Proposed Clean Car Standard and Clean Car Discount for New Zealand
Earlier this month the Ministry of Transport issued a discussion paper entitled ‘Moving the light vehicle fleet to low emissions: discussion paper on a Clean Car Standard and a Clean Car Discount’. Comments and submissions are called for and must be submitted before 20th August 2019.
Submission Deadline: Tuesday 20th August 2019
We urge you, as Trust supporters, to take some time to submit a response. We all understand the importance of transitioning away from ICE vehicles to EVs, but there are many who will act to oppose it. We need people like you to stand up and make your voice heard, to let the government know it is on the right track and to drown out the nay-sayers.
Read more
Submission Guidelines
Submission Guidelines
It is important that as many people as possible make some sort of submission in response to the Clean Car Policy and Clean Car discount proposal from the Government.
The government has provided a Survey option, so you do not need to write a full submission for this proposal. We expect this means they will take note of the number of people who answer even yes or no for each question.
You should of course read the document and decide what your opinion is. But to help you, along side the governments discussion document we provide you a copy of our written response, and some guidelines prepared by Will Hunter with help from other #LeadingTheCharge Champions.
Here is The Better NZ Trust submission.
And Wills Guide Clean Car Submission Guidelines
If you can find the 5-10 minutes to submit on this issue, it would be amazing.
Here is the link to the MoT page with all the information. And the Link to the Online Survey is near the middle of the page.
https://transport.cwp.govt.nz/multi-modal/climatechange/electric-vehicles/clean-cars/
The Crowning Champ is ...
The second New York E Prix is won by Dutchman Robin Frijns, making his team, Envision Virgin, the only ones to have both drivers taking an E Prix race this season.
But the main focus is the Championship for the 2018/19 series.
Read moreBig Apple Goes Nuts
The concrete jungle of Brooklyn, New York has been transformed, ready to host the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. The double header (2-day) finale is back in the Big Apple for the third year running, but next season the finale will be moving to London.
So, for the last time the spectacular Lower Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty frames the waterfront racetrack. But the famous view will be far from the minds of the 22 drivers as they arrive at the penultimate race in the 2018/19 championship series.
It’s been a rollercoaster season, with no clear front-runner emerging until the 9th race, when Jean-Eric Vergne (JEV) racing for Chinese outfit DS Techeetah, began to accumulate podium finishes. Now at the top of the championship standings, he is a healthy 32 points ahead of Lucas di Grassi, in second place, racing for Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler.
New Zealand’s own Mitch Evans, racing for Panasonic Jaguar, is third in the standings. Evans also holds the lap record for this track at 1:13.207.
With 58 points still up for grabs, eight drivers still mathematically have a chance of lifting the title. But the general feeling is that it would take a brave punter to bet against JEV, who has won three of the last six races, and is the reigning champion.
The Championship standings before the race.
Read more
Clean Car Standards: New Government Proposals
The Better NZ Trust volunteers lead the charge to the steps of The Beehive in 2017 to demonstrate the capabilities of plug-in vehicles. Photo: Mark Nixon, Trust volunteer
Moving the light vehicle fleet to low emissions: discussion paper on CCS and CCD
The Better NZ Trust was created to encourage a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and we are in support of the Clean Cars Standards proposal (CCS.)
In fact we think it has been too long coming.
The feebate system has been suggested by several international experts visiting NZ and shown to be successful in many other countries so is very likely to make a difference here as well.
"Any system is likely to have be unfavourable for some parties, but what is important is the overall goal and outcome desired," says Trust treasurer, Sean Dick.
"But what is important is the overall goal and outcome desired."
"We also need to look carefully at the distinction between battery and hybrid. The Trust has always supported hybrid electric vehicles when they have a plug and can be charged from our 80%+ renewable energy source as much as possible. We are obviously reading the detail behind the proposal and are likely to either write our own submission or provide input to support another party's submission."
The Detail, (a podcast from Radio NZ) had an indepth talk this morning about the CCS. Kathryn Trounson, Better NZ Chairperson; Julie Anne Genter, Associate Transport Minister; and Quartz journalist, Akshat Rathi were all interviewed, making for an interesting and robust discussion.
Read moreWhat Happens to Old EV Batteries
Question of the Day:
"When EV batteries need replacement what happens to the old ones?"
"Do we ship them off to another country and move the responsibility?"
[post answered by Adam Metalbob, Leading The Charge, 4 July 2019]
Read morePandemonium in Bern
Pandemonium in the Pits After Massive Pile Up
The final of the Voestalpine European E-Prix Trophy was held in Bern today — the Swiss city of the bear — where the crowds lined every inch of space 8 or 9 deep right around the length of the 2.750 km hard-core street circuit.
A new track in a new location, where everything is different, comes just when the drivers are probably looking for stability, as they head into the final few races in the 2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E series.
And it really was a fun and challenging narrow track with sharp corners, multiple surfaces, manholes, broken tarmac, extreme cambers, an overly long pit, topped by huge changes in elevation. There was no room for error, and energy conservation was key. More about the track, the European series, and the city of Bern.
Voelstalpine Finale
We are now just three races from the end of the 2018/19 ABB FIA-Formula-E series but today's race, the 2019 Julius Baer Swiss E-Prix, is the final chance for the contenders to win the Voestalpine trophy. Five European E-Prix's contribute to the trophy, which started amongst the ancient ruins of Rome, then Paris, Monaco, Berlin and now coming to a head in Bern.
Best known for Toblerone chocolate, the Swiss City of Bears, Bern, has opened its roads to motorsport for the first time since 1954. It's a city of ups and downs and therefore it's not at all surprising that elevation will be an important component of the 2,750 km E-Prix track. The steep slopes and inclines have never before been seen in Formula E, making this a challenging finale for the 22 cars competing in the European Championship.
As they go to the start line, eight of the 22 drivers are in with a chance to win the trophy, including New Zealand's own Mitch Evans.
"With lots of character, surface and elevation changes, it's a real, hardcore street circuit," says Panasonic Jaguar Racing's Mitch Evans. "The downhill section into Turn 3 and 4 is going to be tough. You come in with a lot of speed, so there's no room for error. Most braking zones look quite difficult — that's going to be the scariest for us with the most consequences — I think it's going to be a complete rollercoaster but I'm looking forward to it."
Yes, it's going to be an exciting race, with no clear winner yet. Let's take a closer look at those who are in with a chance.
Favourite: Jean-Eric VERGE
The current Voestalpine leader is 29-year old Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne, racing for DS Techeetah. Vergne won in Monaco and placed third in Berlin. Therefore he only needs a podium finish to clinch the 2019 European Trophy — that is unless Lotterer, di Grassi or Buemi get to climb onto the podium.
With the 2017/18 Championship Title to defend, and 102 points this season, the pressure will be on JEV. The charismatic driver started his motorsport career in karts at the tender age of 4. His long career has included 58 Formula One grand prix. In 2014 he made the switch to Formula-E, joining first Andretti Motorsport, then switching to Virgin Racing and now DS Techeetah. He has raced 53 E-Prix's with 7 wins and 19 podium finishes, making him one of the most experienced electric car drivers in the world.
The challenger - Andre LOTTERER
Despite not achieving a win yet this season, JEV's teammate Lotterer has placed on the podium often enough to be a serious contender. Any podium place could be enough for this German driver to take the trophy home.
Making a name for himself at a young age, 39-year old Lotterer made the switch from fossil fuel racing to electric last season.
The underdog - Mitch EVANS
Don't underestimate the Underdog. Mitch Evans has been in the points on nearly every race this season, including top of the podium in Rome.
Currently placing sixth in the championship series, Mitch is in with a chance. Just 33 points separate him from Championship leader JEV, so clinching the voestalpine European races trophy (with any podium finish) would provide a much-needed lift to Evan’s Championship hopes.
The 24-year old Kiwi driver has entered 34 E-Prix, with his maiden win in Rome, and 2 podium places. This is his third Formula-E series, during which he has remained with British racing outfit Jaguar. Evans started his motorsport career in karts at the age of six and won the NZ Grand Prix at the age of 16. Moving to GP2 in 2013 and aged just 18, he became the youngest driver in the field's history to stand on the podium after finishing third in Sepang, Malaysia.
The comeback – Robin Frijns
After a spectacular win in Paris despite pouring rain and hail, the Dutch driver Frijns has had a sensational return to form in the all-electric series but will it be enough to be crowned king of the voestalpine European races?
The strategist - Lucas di Grassi
One of the undisputed masters of the all-electric street racing series, Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler’s Lucas di Grassi has once again made up for lost ground in Europe. With a win in Berlin, the Brazilian driver now sits second in the Championship standings behind leader Jean-Eric Vergne. Should di Grassi reach the podium for the second time in the voestalpine European races, the Brazilian has a strong chance of clinching the trophy ahead of his second title challenge in New York City.
The rookie – Oliver Rowland
Rowland doesn't have the depth of experience, but he has managed to outperform his highly-seasoned Nissan e.Dams teammate Sebastien Buemi, who sits behind him tenth in the standings. With two podiums, one after finishing second in Monaco, the rookie will need to slot into the top two places on the podium to be in with a chance of lifting the voestalpine European races trophy ahead of New York.
The master - Sebastien Buemi
Going purely by career wins in Formula E, Nissan e.dams’ Sebastien Buemi is the most successful driver in the history of Formula E with 12 victories to his name. But despite his impressive win rate, the Swiss driver is yet to secure a win in the 2018/19 season. Now, in his local race here in Bern, Buemi will be desperate to top his second-place finish in Berlin and take the voestalpine European races trophy on home turf. To be in with a chance, Buemi will need to make it to the top two steps of the podium at the very least.
The outsider - Stoffel Vandoorne
So far, the 2018/19 Formula E season hasn’t been kind to newcomers HWA Racelab. With 38 points in total, the team sits ninth in the standings, 150 points adrift of leaders DS Techeetah. Despite the team’s overall position, driver Stoffel Vandoorne has enjoyed his first European Formula E campaign, scoring his first and only podium after finishing third in Rome. Nothing short of a win will enable the Belgian driver to lift the voestalpine European trophy here in Bern.
Home race hero Sebastien Buemi is 'confident' of ending his 29-race victory drought while the 'hardcore street circuit' leaves 'no room for error' as the drivers count down the hours until the 2019 Julius Baer Swiss E-Prix kicks off in Bern.
TUNE IN TO TVNZ DUKE TO WATCH LIVE AT 3AM, OR WATCH THE RERUN AT 12:15 SUNDAY.
Don't forget to give our Kiwi driver your Fanboost vote.
Road Testing the 2019 LEAF
A Best Buy for a BEV with a Big Asterisk
It’s been a long road for the Nissan Leaf. Introduced in 2011, the Leaf was the first mass-market all-electric vehicle and, despite other EV upstarts making gains, the best-selling electric car in history with more than 450,000 sold worldwide. (ed: including being the most registered EV in New Zealand.) It’s won about every award for green automobiles, including the World Green Car award twice.*
* All-new 2018 Nissan LEAF named "2018 World Green Car" by the World Car Awards.
[Full report from Gary Lieber - Clean Technica - 15 Jun 2019]
Read moreRacing Towards A Cleaner Future
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 5 JUNE 2019
In a world plagued with deadly levels of air pollution, the ABB FIA Formula E Championship is more than just an inner-city street racing series. It's a lab for developing and demonstrating the latest and greatest technology in the battle for clean air: the electric car. To celebrate World Environment Day, check out what's being done in each of Formula E's 12 host cities to clean up our climate.
Battle for Berlin FormulaE
Brandenburg Gate, Berlin
The penultimate race in the Voestalpine European Trophy Races was held in Berlin in the historic Tempelhof Airport yesterday.
It is also the fourth to last race in the overall ABB FIA Formula E 2018/19 series.
Read more
And We Go Green
The inside story of Formula E - Friendly on the planet, fierce on the track
Premieres at Cannes Film Festival at 18:45 on Thursday, May 23 at the Salle 60eme.
'And We Go Green' is a documentary showcasing how competition drives technological development and how the excitement of sport can have a meaningful social impact and alter perceptions of electric vehicles.
Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVDgoUlzIMU
Experience the highs, lows and blows of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship and uncover why they race in the new feature-length documentary 'And We Go Green.'
Delving deep behind the scenes, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Fisher Stevens, Malcolm Venville and Leonardo di Caprio follow the stories of the drivers and highlight the purpose of the all-electric street racing series in the fight against climate change and deadly levels of urban air pollution.
BMW - The Next 100 Years
Is BMW still relevant in 2019?
[editorial by Rachelle Tilsley]
The subject of what’s been happening to BMW’s sustainability focus over the past five years, since they released the fully electric i3, is often debated.
With the release of the i3, they had the lead on their competitors as an electromobility pioneer. Then they seemed to fritter that away with a lack of progression, while other manufacturers charged on ahead.
But is that really the case? Let’s take a closer look at BMW.
Read moreThe Streak Breaks in Monaco
2019 MONACO E-PRIX (RD 9)
VERGNE keeps Rowland at bay around MONACO HARBOUR
Diesel Is NOT Better Than Battery
We're seeing the German "research" recently published in the Brussels Times popping up in media everywhere now. It claims that actually, "Electric Vehicles in Germany Emit More CO2 Than Diesel Ones." This headline alone is enough to convince those, who would dearly love to see electric vehicles fade away like a bad dream after you turn the lights on.
It's unfortunate that the article has been reprinted around the world.
A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.
The Better NZ Trust is republishing the following article so that our stance on the matter is clear. In 2015 the NZ government department, EECA, commissioned a life-cycle analysis of the environmental impact of electric vehicles compared to internal combustion engine vehicles using either petrol or diesel. The (peer-reviewed) report confirmed that EVs are better for the New Zealand environment than the fossil fuel powered vehicles, across the life-cycle of the vehicle as well as while in use. And the situation is only getting better as our energy is getting cleaner, and battery tech is improving. Read that report summary here.
Here's what the rest of the world has to say...
Read moreFRIJNS WINS IN FRANCE
2019 ABB FIA Formula E Racing News
2019 PARIS E-PRIX
Frijns Takes First Win in Formula-E after Frantic Race in French Capital
Robin Frijns, racing for Envision Virgin Racing, persevered through tricky weather conditions to cling on to victory in a frantic race on the streets of the French capital.

On the Road
GREAT EV ROAD TRIP 2019 - THE DIARY
[by Rachelle Tilsley and guest contributors]
CONTENTS
- Day One: Rotorua
- Day Two: Taupo
- Day Three: Taupo Event
- Day Four: Raumati Charger Opening
- Day Five: Ferry Crossing
- Day Six: Nelson Event
- Day Seven: Westport Charger Opening
- Day Eight: Wanaka
- Day Nine: Te Anau
- Day Ten: Te Anau Event and Fiordland College visit
- Day Eleven: Mangapiri Downs Organic Stud Farm
- Day Twelve: Manapouri Power Plant and Hawkdun Rise, Alexandra
- Day Thirteen: Mosgiel
- Day Fourteen: Dunedin
- Day Fifteen: Rest Day in Dunedin
- Day Sixteen: School visits & Tekapo
- Day Seventeen: Geraldine, Methven, EV City Movie Night
- Day Eighteen: Chch, Lyttelton, Sumner
- Day Nineteen: Orion
- Day Twenty: Blenheim
- Day Twenty-One: Masterton
- Day Twenty-Two: Palmerston North
- Day Twenty-Three: Napier
- Day Twenty-Four: Gisborne
- Day Twenty-Five: Mt Maunganui
- Day Twenty-Six: Raglan
- Day Twenty-Eight: Auckland
- Day Twenty-Nine: Dargaville & Whangarei
- Day Thirty: Kerikeri
- Day Thirty-One: Cape Reinga
Click the read more link to scroll through each days' diary entry.
Read more
Electric Vehicle drivers spread the word in South Canterbury
First Published in Timaru Herald by Matthew Littlewood on 14 Apr 2019
The conversations were electric in Geraldine as a convoy of vehicles rolled quietly into the town on Saturday.
The fifth annual great EV (Electric Vehicle) road trip, which started in Rotorua on March 28 and finishes in Cape Reinga on April 26, had Timaru man Martin Kane and his seven-seater 2018 Tesla Model X joining the group.
"It's just an exciting car to drive," Kane said about the vehicle ...
Kathryn Trounson and Timaru man Martin Kane (with his 2018 Tesla X) participate in the Great EV Road Trip, which stopped off in Geraldine
Read more
Evans!
Mitch Wins for NZ and Panasonic Jaguar Racing

Repco Supports EV
The automotive world is changing and some commercial entities are quickly recognising the opportunities that this will bring. One of these businesses is Repco New Zealand.
Repco New Zealand is proudly supporting the #LeadingTheCharge 2019 Great EV Road Trip.
"Now in its 5th season, this is a fantastic annual event for Repco to be part of," says Richelle Ashman, Marketing Manager NZ. "Repco recognises Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming a popular choice for New Zealand drivers."
Repco has been providing New Zealanders with what they need to get their vehicle road ready for over 95 years. Repco leads the charge in the automotive parts aftermarket, which makes Repco a fitting partner to the #LeadingTheCharge 2019 Great EV Road Trip.
If you are coming along to a Leading The Charge event in Dunedin, Christchurch, Palmerston North, Auckland and Whangarei, be sure to pick up a Repco voucher to save on your next purchase at you nearest Repco store.
I used my voucher to buy seat covers for my BMW. Thanks Repco.
Leading the electric vehicle charge into Wanaka
First Published in Crux by Georgia Merton on Apr 4, 2019
With petrol prices over $2.30 a litre, the annual electric vehicle road trip couldn’t have picked a better time to roll (quietly) into Wanaka. As their name suggests, they are quite literally ‘Leading the Charge’ on electric cars, driving the length of the country to change people’s perceptions. The fleet, which includes an electric campervan from Queenstown, arrived and parked up on Wanaka’s lakefront around 3pm today.
Read more
"Leading The Charge" Electric Vehicle Road Trip
First Published in Cromwell-News on Apr 3rd, 2019
ALEXANDRA, APRIL 8TH 2019
At Hawkdun Rise Vineyard,
241 Letts Gully Road, Alexandra
between 6-7pm
A national road tour of electric vehicles arrives in Alexandra to recharge, and demonstrate the potential of EV’s to change transport’s effect on climate change.
Read moreNew EV Charger Hits Westport
First Published in EV TALK by Sophia Wang on 3 April 2019
From left, Foodstuffs sustainability manager Mike Sammons, New World operator Chris Acklin, ChargeNet NZ chief executive officer Steve West, Buller mayor Garry Howard and BetterNZ Trust chair Kathryn Trounson.
An electric vehicle fast charger was ceremonially opened at New World Westport by Buller district mayor Garry Howard today. ChargeNet NZ, Foodstuffs, EECA and Buller Line collaborated on this charger, which is the same as those installed at Four Square Karamea and New World Hokitika. Several long-range EVs touring the country on the Leading the Charge road trip also attended the ceremony.
Methven gets fast-charger EV station
First published in Ashubrton Guardian by Susan Sandys on 2 April 2019
Matt Harris (left) and Shaneel Singh of EA Networks switch on the new Methven fast-charger station yesterday.
Read more
Taupo Turns It On
Taupo turned on glorious weather for the 2019 Road Trippers.
After the cancellation of the Rotorua Night Market due to inclement weather, the Great EV Road Trip 2019 began at stop 2 – Taupo – on the Colonel Roberts Reserve, right in the heart of the eating quarter of Taupo – and on the waterfront.
Read more