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.

SATURDAY February 1st, 2020, 8AM – 4PM

SATURDAY March 7th, 2020, 8AM – 4PM

The country's Premiere Craft Fair, sponsored by South Wairarapa Rotary. Interesting and varied array of goods, services and activities for our fair-goers.

Electric Vehicle information and display and test drive car.

Entry and parking: Free

Further Paid parking is available around Martinborough

Child-friendly. No dogs.

Hosted by Martinborough Fair Trust

EVolunteer Information TBC

• 7am setup, be ready by 7:30am;
• packdown 4pm
• Location TBC but middle of Kansas St South if we get same location as last year.
• Contact: Sigurd Magnusson (electric vehicles stand only)

Watch a promotional video about the Martinborough Fair

Watch a promotional video about Electric Cars at Martinborough Fair

SATURDAY February 1st, 2020, 8AM – 4PM

SATURDAY March 7th, 2020, 8AM – 4PM

The country's Premiere Craft Fair, sponsored by South Wairarapa Rotary. Interesting and varied array of goods, services and activities for our fair-goers.

Electric Vehicle information and display and test drive car.

Entry and parking: Free

Further Paid parking is available around Martinborough

Child-friendly. No dogs.

Hosted by Martinborough Fair Trust

EVolunteer Information TBC

• 7am setup, be ready by 7:30am;
• packdown 4pm
• Location TBC but middle of Kansas St South if we get same location as last year.
• Contact: Sigurd Magnusson (electric vehicles stand only)

Watch a promotional video about the Martinborough Fair

Watch a promotional video about Electric Cars at Martinborough Fair

SATURDAY, February 15th 2019, 10AM – 4PM

Hutt Valley's Biggest Summer Event.

A highlight of the summer season, held every year in historic Jackson Street in Petone.

EVs will again feature at the Fair, in an effort to educate and promote this environmentally friendly transport option.

• Child friendly. Not dog-friendly.

• Free entrance. Outdoors.

• Parking: on-street, Britannia Street 3 x paid private carparks, Park & Ride at Petone Station, cnr Bouverie & Udy Sts paid parking, disabled at Buik Street.

Hosted by the Rotary Club of Petone   This annual event is the Rotary Club's biggest fundraiser of the year.

Saturday 15 February EVolunteers (times TBC)

• 9am setup for 10am public opening,

• 4pm packdown

• Stall site TBC but likely to be near Fitzherbert Street

Contact Sigurd Magnusson to volunteer

SUNDAY, March 8th, 2019, 8:30AM – 5PM

Discover a fabulous world of food, arts, crafts and Electric cars in the heart of vibrant Newtown.

An eclectic mix of performers will play on 12 stages spread out along Riddiford and surrounding streets. Headlining Tiny Ruins.

Amongst the stands, electric vehicles will be showcased. (near Rintoul Street) EVolunteers welcome. Contact Sigurd Magnusson.

• 420 stalls
• Over 120 different acts
• 12 stages
• Music, Dance, Comedy

Programme of Performers will be posted closer to the time.

Child friendly and free to all.  A family-oriented public celebration in the heart of Newtown – this is Newtown’s community party to which all of Wellington is invited.

Hosted by Newtown Festival

[[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

[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.

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.