Pages tagged "info"

EV Resources

Posted on Info by · May 27, 2019 2:47 PM

Electric Vehicle Resources

Some information you may find useful. (all links provided for information purposes. No warranties given regarding content. Original content may have been updated since we posted this link)

Our EV FAQ page.

Links to Educational Resources

 

Links to Other Interesting EV Related sites

      


EV Owners Facebook Groups

By Region

By EV Model

 

Send us an email if you'd like your Facebook group added here.

 

Charger Etiquette

Posted on Info by · December 22, 2018 11:24 AM

The Better NZ Trust has been #LeadingTheCharge in New Zealand’s EV space since 2015. During that time, this charitable Trust has worked closely with all industry decision makers, government, and pioneer EV enthus­iasts, in an effort to successfully bring EV to NZ. This Code of Behaviour at public chargers comes after consultation with the EV community and with the experience of being the longest-serving promoter of EV in NZ.

Downloadable PDF of #LeadingTheCharge NZ EV Etiquette

  1. All EVs Are Equal
    Whether PHEV, small or large capacity, all EV’s have equal right to use chargers.
    Use your discretion in sharing, if there is a choice of high-powered/low-powered DC chargers.
    Only use public chargers if you cannot charge at home. Keep them free for those that need them.

  2. Charging Not Parking
    Parks displaying this official NZ sign are for charging only. Do not park there if you are not charging,
    even if you’re in an EV.

  3. Be Nice to ICE
    Be a good EV Ambassador. Don’t leave anything other than a polite note on an offending vehicle.

  4. When to Unplug
    Only unplug another vehicle if you are certain it has finished charging, or you have been given permission, eg: on Plugshare. Not all cars can be unplugged during, or even after charging, so respect the owner and know what you are doing before acting.

  5. Monitor With Your Phone
    Make use of apps or txt alerts to monitor the state of charge. Plugshare is a safe way to communicate, but is optional.

  6. Don’t Set and Forget
    Stations are designed to allow you to leave your vehicle charging. But you must be back before charging stops, and before any parking time limits are up.
    Don’t expect others to unplug you.

  7. Check for Parking/Charging Limits
    Some stations and/or EV parks have time limits to encourage vehicle turnover.
    Do not park illegally to reach the charger.

  8. E-Stop is for Emergencies
    In other situations, only press E-Stop if you can’t get hold of the station operator by phone.
    Reset it before you leave.

  9. OK to Check Progress
    It is acceptable and normal to check the onscreen progress of a station that you are waiting to use.

  10. Look after the stations, cables and plugs.  Report any damage to the service provider, & ensure cables are safely tucked away

 

Copyright of #LeadingTheCharge, The Better NZ Trust. Reproduction for personal use only.

 

About Us

Posted on Info by · October 30, 2018 10:38 AM

The Better NZ Trust has been #LeadingTheCharge throughout New Zealand since January 2015. 

We work to educate New Zealanders in what can be done at an individual and corporate level to adopt zero carbon renewable energy technology.

“We’ll Give You the Facts, and Let You Decide”

Thus far our programme has been incredibly varied – ranging from visits to schools and arranging local events to working closely with University researchers and relevant Government departments.

Before Covid our Annual Road Trip was a massive undertaking for the Trust, taking EVs to many major and minor locations in New Zealand and offering rides and drives to interested parties.

We are a registered charitable Trust; registration CC55076. 

What We Are Not

  • We are politically agnostic. Our volunteers have a broad range of political stances.
  • We are not a lobby group
  • Nor an owners' association as such
  • And we do not sell cars
  • We do not, as a whole, favour any particular automobile brand. We will work with, and support, any dealer who is willing to invest time into selling plug-in electric vehicles.

We have received funding from both private donations and from the Government via the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA).

Our Vision

To create environmental, financial and health benefits for all New Zealanders through education and outreach. We are assisting in the adoption of zero-carbon renewable energy technologies.

Championing sustainable initiatives for a better future for all of New Zealand is at the core of all that we do.

Our Mission

The Better NZ Trust's main focus is the #LeadingTheCharge campaign. As ~20% of New Zealand's greenhouse gas pollution is caused by the transport sector, we believe that transitioning away from fossil-fueled vehicles into electric vehicles will make a huge impact on our country's zero-carbon policies.

In addition, this transition will benefit NZ's economy by reducing our dependence on imported fuels and utilising our home-grown green electricity. 

Our Volunteers

Our organisation is dependent on our people. Electric vehicle (EV) enthusiasts volunteer their time to help us promote the uptake of electric vehicles in the towns and cities of New Zealand.

In each region, we support a Champion amongst the volunteers to rally support from their wider neighbourhood. These people truly are champions as they spend their own time and energy to help. They are also knowledgeable about EV, many of whom have been pioneers in the cultural shift to electric-powered transport. Volunteers can sign up on this website and we will put them in touch with their local champion.

Our Trustees

 

Kathryn Trounson
CHAIRPERSON
View profile

Sean Dick
TREASURER
View profile
     
 

Martin Kane
TRUSTEE
View profile

 Steve West
TRUSTEE & FOUNDER
View profile

Major Events

Every year the Better NZ Trust puts on two nationwide events:

International Drive Electric Week

For 9 days in September, New Zealand joins the USA and other countries by hosting EV Awareness events in provincial towns and cities. 

The original Drive Electric Week grew out of an idea by Plug-in America in 2011, when a National Plug-In Day was devised to bring attention to EVs. DEW was a celebration to raise awareness of the many and varied benefits of all electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) cars.

NZ wanted to join in - hence the International preface to the title - and the US was only too happy to have us advocating for a change to electric transport.  Before Covid we did many EV events during this week, all over the country, but since 2019 few events have been scheduled.

in 2022 the dates are set at 23rd September to 2nd October.

EV Road Trip

Since the inception of the Better NZ Trust, we have organised an annual road trip usually from Cape Reinga to Bluff in a convoy of EVs, stopping frequently to hold EV events at various places, where we would invite those interested in EVs to come along for a chat.

The original Road Trip in 2015 was organised by Trustee, Steve West with Dee West and Carl Barlev in two Tesla Model S vehicles, with no charging infrastructure anywhere in the country. Utilising Carl's ability to find electricity in milking sheds and at motels they traversed the entire country.  It was a chance to prove that EVs could handle long distances.

Now, thanks to Steve developing the ChargeNet network, we feel that this has well and truly been proven. Charging infrastructure is now ubiquitous throughout New Zealand and thanks to the efforts of infrastructure providers and more choice in vehicles, the annual Road Trip is no longer the pioneering adventure that it once was.

However, it's still a chance for the Trustees, Champions and EV enthusiasts to travel together, promoting EVs and having fun. In Covid times we have scaled back such trips to smaller loops, and have developed them into EV holidays, where everyone pays their own way, but we meet up for chats, lunches and evening meals whilst traversing our great Kiwi country.

Watch out for new trips in our EVENTS calendar.

Minor Events

Our regional champions organise regular local events to educate and promote Electric Vehicles to the general public or specific groups, and to encourage EV owners to meet. These are also advertised on our Events calendar.

 

Sponsors

The most valuable resources for #LeadingTheCharge are the owner-drivers and enthusiasts who make this community work. There are too many to list individually but you will see their names on various pages as ticker tape.

But we also are indebted to the various companies and organisations for donating services or money to help operate the Trust. The list of our larger sponsors can be found here. There are many more organisations that help us in smaller ways whom we are equally grateful to.

 

 

Thank you so much for your support, we are excited to continue our work and to meet more people who are as excited as we are about a Better NZ for all of us.

Our Supporters

Posted on Info by · October 13, 2016 3:25 PM · 2 reactions

The most valuable resources for #LeadingTheCharge are the owner drivers and enthusiasts who make this community work. There are too many to list individually but you will see their names on various pages in news items.

We also are indebted to the various companies and organisations for previous donations and sponsorships to help operate the trust.

 

   
   
   
   
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International Drive Electric Week

Posted on Info by · August 18, 2016 6:51 AM

International Drive Electric Week, September 26 – October 3rd 2020, is a worldwide celebration to heighten awareness of today's widespread availability of plug-in vehicles and highlight the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more.

They are fun to drive, are less expensive and more convenient to fuel than gasoline vehicles, are better for the environment, promote local jobs, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Are you considering going electric? Come talk to owners who have successfully done so.

Started in 2011 as National Plug In Day in the United States with the simple idea to hold simultaneous events across the country on the same day, by popular demand it was expanded to an entire week of events and changed the name to emphasize the thing we all want to do: drive electric. New Zealand participated in 2015 with one or two events but in 2016 it was expanded to over 20 New Zealand based events. So we decided to call it International Drive Electric week to more accurately represent its coverage and importance.

In 2016 The Better NZ trust assisted with over 50 events in New Zealand. The largest number for any country outside of the US. In 2017 the week is kicked off with the EV World, the first of its kind in NZ.

Want to organize or help with an event? Go to the the New Zealand events page, or the international events page to see if there's one near you, then go to the volunteer page if you would like to offer your assistance. If you'd like to organise an event please contact us directly. Thank you!

Contact us directly for national sponsorship opportunities.

Each event is led by local plug-in drivers and advocates and typically includes some combination of EV parades, ride-and-drives, press conferences, award ceremonies, informational booths, and more. The Better NZ trust serve as the national team providing support to the events throughout the country. We are pleased to partner with the many other organizations and individuals working to bring International Drive Electric Week to communities across the country.

 Pahia 2016LowerHutt 2016

 

 

 

 

 

  

International Drive Electric Week History

International Drive Electric Week comes from the United States event National Drive Electric Week and began in 2011 as National Plug In Day. Starting in 2015 it went international and we are waiting for them to rename themselves.

Learn more about the original Drive Electric week from their history page.

 

International Drive Electric Week is organised in New Zealand by The Better NZ Trust who are working together with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). EECA is promoting electric vehicles in New Zealand as part of the Government’s electric vehicles programme;  EVs take advantage of New Zealand’s renewable electricity and when driven in New Zealand they create 80%+ fewer CO2-eq emissions than a petrol or diesel car, and 60% few CO2-eq emissions over the vehicles lifetime when driven in from cradle to grave.”

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