INTERNATIONAL DRIVE ELECTRIC WEEK

SATURDAY 26th September – SATURDAY 3rd October 2020

UPDATE

As at the middle of August we have a total of 10 cars containing 16 people travelling to New Plymouth on the first leg of the North Island RoadTour.  Half the cars are Tesla Model 3’s with a Tesla X, a Tesla S, 2 Kona and a Leaf making up the total!  So Hyundai and Nissan entirely eclipsed by the mighty Tesla!  One Model 3 will leave us at Upper Hutt and take the ferry to Picton to join up with the South Island trippers, travelling as far as Queenstown.

Activity/Attraction lists for the New Plymouth area and the Feilding area have been compiled to offer travellers things to do in those locations if they have time, but the Tour was designed primarily as a holiday, and hanging out in motels chatting about the day’s travels is also to be encouraged!  As a seasoned EV RoadTripper I can confirm that sometimes that is all you want to do when a new location is reached – whether with a cuppa or a glass of an alcoholic beverage!

Some travellers may take the opportunity to drop in on family or friends on the way!  A subtle way to show EVs can travel distance in comfort, style and very economically!

The NI loop is about 1,700 km in length but we will obviously all do more kilometres than that as we explore the overnight stops, and possibly do side trips during the travelling days. But remember that number and also the fact that an ICE car running at say 7.5 litres of fuel/100km would use just over $250 worth of dino-juice on the trip. We can compare ChargeNet bills at the end of the trip to see what each car used at fast chargers.  Many motels are happy to let EVs slow charge overnight and we always take that opportunity when presented.

Originally we had thought we would get a Tour T-shirt/hoodie designed for all participants, but we have shelved that idea - however the Trust still has some EECA branded caps that we can hand out to those who like wearing them!  That saved cost will go towards the Trust funded dinners – we hope you are happy with that move!

More details to follow and keep an eye out on our EV 2020 Road Tour page: https://www.leadingthecharge.org.nz/ltc_2020_road_tour 

Images from 2019 Great EV Road Trip: Picnic lunch at Wharerata. Joint dinner in Napier.

Our local Trust champion is Steve Hobo-Tuck and he is organising a venue called East End Reserve at Purakau for a meetup in New Plymouth, photo attached of entrance.

The address is the end of Nobs Line, off Devon Street West, heading towards Fitzroy from town.

Steve has even checked the weather forecast and it is supposed to rain for two days before the event, then be partially overcast on the day.

Prior to this meeting the Trust and Steve will be encouraging local EV owners to turn up for a chat and the venue can accommodate up to 50 EVs.  Should any trippers have family in the area please invite them along too!

Steve’s local knowledge suggests there may be a coffee caravan at the beach a little further along called Paris Plage so that could take care of any caffeine cravings.  Depending on the weather, the café hours are 9.30 am until 2.30 pm.  There is also a dairy at the Nobs Line/Devon Street West corner, Strandon shopping centre, and Fitzroy shopping centre, further along Devon Street West.

There are public toilets available at the beach, two sets.

NOTE:  This is a Council reserve and so the Council reserves the right to cancel if the weather is bad or the ground is too wet.  We would expect this decision to be made on the Friday and Steve will keep tabs on it!

If cancellation is on the cards Steve can organise an alternative venue, which is the New World carpark; which is conveniently located adjacent to a ChargeNet fast charger on Courtney Street, opposite the Z garage.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NZEVOwners/?post_id=2620862878181010