FRIDAY 13th, SATURDAY 14th, SUNDAY 15TH September 2019, 10AM - 5PM DAILY

As part of International Drive Electric Week, we will be displaying Electric Cars at the Timaru Home & Lifestyle Show.

Fresh ideas, inspiration, advice and products for your home and lifestyle.

New for 2019: The Sustainable Living Zone

A part of the show is set aside for products and services that promote sustainability and sustainable lifestyles.

Take your time to explore all the various sites on display including bathrooms, kitchens, flooring, appliances, heating, new building, solar, eco living and so much more.

Featuring the latest trends and innovations for sustainable homes and living, exclusive show only specials, plus the chance to win a fabulous show prize valued at $20,000 - it’s a must-see event for every home & lifestyle enthusiast. You’ll find it all under the one roof.

http://timaruhomeshow.co.nz/index.html

SATURDAY, 21st September 2019

Better NZ Trust and Waikato EV Owners group will be putting on rides and drives at the EVolocity Regional Finals. Details to follow.

What is EVolocity?

Secondary students design, build and compete in electric vehicles.

School teams build a vehicle (either a bike or with 3+ wheels) powered by a standard 350W electric motor, controller and two 12V gel cells. Innovation is encouraged as students strive to make their vehicle the fastest with the least drag, and able to cope with the demands of a tight street circuit. The Innovation categories encourage teams to build in object detection and mitigation features along with the measurement and display of key performance metrics.

SATURDAY 21st September 2019, from 8:30 AM

International Drive Electric Week is when EV enthusiasts and clubs around the world come out to promote this sustainable transport option in mass events. Better NZ Trust supports International Drive Electric Week by hosting events across New Zealand.

Join Your Local Celebration of EV.

Catalina Bay Farmers Market is a true farmers market with a focus on local artisanal produce, breads, organics, coffee and more. The indoor market hosts some incredibly talented people who can help you with anything from a tasty bite to eat, your weekly produce needs or beautiful handmade gifts. The market is situated in the heart of Catalina Bay - Hobsonville Point. 

For one day only, you will be able to view electric vehicles in the outdoor stall area, collect information and have your questions answered from our knowledgeable volunteers.  The markets run from 8:30 – 2:00 PM and the EVs will be there from 8:30 until interest wanes.

Find out more about the markets here: https://cbfarmersmarket.co.nz/#location

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]

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.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY 9th and 10th November, 2019
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

A variety of electric cars will be on display to see, ride in, and test drive at Wellington's Largest Green Living & Sustainable Lifestyle Show! More details at https://www.gogreenexpo.co.nz/location/wellington/

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.

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] 

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

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.