Yes, the Better NZ Trust is organising a couple of Road Trips, one on the South Island and one on the North, in early October this year, to coincide with the school holidays and International Drive Electric Week!  Based on the fantastic success of the ‘holiday style’ perambulations we did last year, this year’s trips will be in the same vein – so let’s just get out there to see our country and enjoy experiences as groups of EV owners!

Many suggestions for itineraries have been made, all of which have merit, but in order to keep the organisation clear and concise we are proposing the following: -

In broad outline these are:

North Island – a single route but in three loops (Click for Map)

1. Auckland, Dargaville, Kerikeri, Whangarei and back to Auckland – 2^nd to 5^th October
2. Auckland to Taupo, Napier and back to Taupo – 6^th to 10^th October
3. Taupo to Napier followed by an anti-clockwise swing around East Cape to Whakatane, Tauranga – this will only be possible in cars with over 200 km range – 10^th to 12^th October

South Island

1. Dunedin, Invercargill, Te Anau, Glenorchy, Wanaka, Cromwell, Naseby and back to Dunedin – 3^rd to 9^th October (Click for Map)

Whilst we did consider outlining ‘feeder’ trips to get people to Auckland or Taupo or Dunedin as the starting points, in the end we determined that it is easier to let everyone do their own thing, and merely tell us they will be at their chosen starting point on the appropriate day!

These trips are designed as ‘holidays’ with no fixed events organised as yet, but last year we found that having a visit to a particular location was very rewarding and provided a focus;  we generally had our evening meal together as well, although there were times when some members peeled off to see family and friends as we passed through places!  These trips are meant to be fun, and include as many travellers as possible. The ability to sometimes engage with the public – for instance when charging – added some extra interest, as we all can talk the hind legs off donkeys about our chosen EV when presented with an inquisitive audience!

We need to try and get some ideas of who would want to do what  - and, by the way, there is no requirement to do a full trip loop – jumping in and out where it suits is perfectly acceptable – once the interest level is gauged then we can put effort into filling out the itineraries.  Schematics of the trips are attached.  We would also be looking for volunteers to help with filling in the itineraries, so please, don’t be shy, let either Martin Kane (for the South Island) or me, Kathryn, (for the North Island) know if you want to do some ringing around for visits we can do whilst tripping!

There is a registration form, click here, that we would request you complete to help us gauge interest.  It is not binding in any way!

**** Please note that drivers of low range cars might need to check whether their chosen route can work – we know that many 24 kW Leafs do not like any more than 4 fast charges per day – although we could assume that the ambient temperatures in early October are not likely to be an issue! (Short Range Car Map)

Interest in fully electric cars is on the rise, according to a group of enthusiasts who visited Oamaru as part of a national tour last week.

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[Oamaru Mail - 29th April 2016]

New Zealanders got their first look at the Renault Zoe last Friday at the Leading the Charge event in Wellington.

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[Lucire.com - 20th April 2016]

Timaru's charger opening coincided with the arrival of the Leading the Charge road trip convoy, which is travelling from Cape Reinga to Bluff to highlight the benefits of electric vehicles.

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[Timaru Herald - 20th April 2016]

The Leading the Charge road trip arrive in time for the opening of two charging stations in Timaru and Waimate.

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[Stuff.co.nz - 18th April 2016]

Electric cars are alive, kicking and about to spark a revolution, says a visiting US advocate.

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[Otago Daily Times - 18th April 2016]

Whether you believe they are the way of the future, or are simply curious about electric cars, a convoy of them will be passing through Otago next week on the Leading the Charge Road Trip and the public is invited along.

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[Drivesouth.co.nz - 16th April 2016]

Tesla Model S owner Sean Dick with his car on autopilot on the Wellington motorway.

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[Stuff.co.nz - 15th April 2016]

Renault unveils their new EV in Wellington - the Zoe five-door hatch.

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[Stuff.co.nz - 14th April 2016]

Wellingtonians came to see and ride in electric cars and experience the future of environmentally sustainable transport.

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