INTERNATIONAL DRIVE ELECTRIC WEEK

SATURDAY 26th September – SATURDAY 3rd October 2020

UPDATE 

We have 6 confirmed cars (with 10 bodies currently) for the South Island loop, one of which will have crossed the Cook Strait after starting from Auckland. Leading the charge will be 3 Tesla Model 3’s with a Model X, a Kona and a 30kW Leaf!

So far 2 visits have been confirmed; these are

Electric Air: Confirmed - 27 September, 11am, Rangiora Airfield

Benmore Dam: Confirmed - 2 October, time tba, Benmore Dam

For the Benmore Dam visit we are offering short-range car drivers a ride in one of the Tesla long range cars from Omarama.  Martin will confirm timings when they are set and send out by email to the participants.

There are 2 events still awaiting final confirmation: these are the Shotover Electric Jetboat talk and the Skyline Gondola Meal.

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 SI loop is about 1,740 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 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!

2019 Great EV Road Trip - wine and cheese meet and greet at Hawkdun Rise Vineyard

2019 Great EV Road Trip - private tour of Manapouri Power Station

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 

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.

SPOILER WARNING: Results are contained in this blog

I can’t help feeling flat and disappointed in the third race of Formula E’s sixth season in Santiago. It was a scrappy race with 24 drivers on the grid and seven drivers not finishing.

New Zealander Mitch Evans in pole position held a confident lead right through to the 25th minute. But on advice from his team concerned about the car's temperature and energy remaining, he was encouraged to slow a bit. In addition, an unusual strategy, using both his 25 kW power-ups in the first 15 minutes, was something he would later regret.

DETAILS:

The Official Brochure for 2020 - updated

Registration Form

DATES:

Saturday 26th September – Saturday 3rd October 2020 
coinciding with International Drive Electric Week

A fun, self-funded EV tour for EV Owners to meet and visit places of interest together.

Each island tour will run concurrently, but there is an opportunity to leave one group at Picton/Wgtn and carry on with the other group.

Results to end of May 2020 of the initial Register of Interest

More details here: North Island EV Tour,  South Island EV Tour