LTC 2021 Road Tour
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)
- Auckland, Dargaville, Kerikeri, Whangarei and back to Auckland – 2nd to 5th October
- Auckland to Taupo, Napier and back to Taupo – 6th to 10th October
- 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 – 10th to 12th October
South Island
- Dunedin, Invercargill, Te Anau, Glenorchy, Wanaka, Cromwell, Naseby and back to Dunedin – 3rd to 9th 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)
Your Submissions: CCS & CCD
Proposed Clean Car Standard and Clean Car Discount for New Zealand
Earlier this month the Ministry of Transport issued a discussion paper entitled ‘Moving the light vehicle fleet to low emissions: discussion paper on a Clean Car Standard and a Clean Car Discount’. Comments and submissions are called for and must be submitted before 20th August 2019.
Submission Deadline: Tuesday 20th August 2019
We urge you, as Trust supporters, to take some time to submit a response. We all understand the importance of transitioning away from ICE vehicles to EVs, but there are many who will act to oppose it. We need people like you to stand up and make your voice heard, to let the government know it is on the right track and to drown out the nay-sayers.
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About Us
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”
Our current programme is incredibly varied – ranging from visits to schools and arranging local events to working closely with University researchers and relevant Government departments.
The Annual Road Trip is a massive undertaking for the Trust, bringing EVs to many major and minor locations in New Zealand and enables us to raise funds to support our work.
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 receive funding from both private donations and the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority of NZ.
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-fuelled vehicles into electric vehicles will make a valuable impact on our country's zero-carbon policies.
Concurrently, this transition will benefit NZ's economy by keeping our fuel for transport dollars in New Zealand and conserve the world's valuable fossil fuels for future generations.
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
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Kathryn Trounson |
Sean Dick |
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Steve West |
Major Events
Every year the Better NZ Trust puts on two nationwide events:
International Drive Electric Week
For 9 days in August or September, New Zealand joins the USA and other countries by hosting EV Awareness events in provincial towns and cities.
EV Road Trip
Since the inception of the Better NZ Trust, we have put on an annual road trip usually from Cape Reinga to Bluff in a convoy of EVs.
Originally, the Road Trip was organised by Trustees Carl Barlev, Steve West and friends. It was a chance to prove that EVs could handle long distances.
Now, we feel that this has well and truly been proven. Charging infrastructure is available 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 EV and having fun.
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 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.
Introducing Our Newest Champions
What is a #LeadingTheCharge Champion
The EV community in NZ is a passionate collection of people who want to share their EV enthusiasm with the rest of the world.
They live with the benefits and enjoyment that comes from owning an EV and as good Evangelists want to let other people experience that enjoyment too! These people often join #LeadingTheCharge as volunteer members, as a way of cohesively promoting EV in a big way, rather than lots of individuals doing their own thing.
The “Better NZ Trust” has members living up and down the country, but in each region there is a stand-out local Champion (or two) who either regularly puts their hand up to organise EV events in their area under the Trust umbrella, or supports the Better NZ Trust in some other substantial way. Our Champions are early adopters of EV (many were pioneers) and give a huge amount of their time and care to Champion the Cause of EV through education, displays, events, etc.
And by using the Better NZ Trust umbrella, they can access our collateral, financial support, advice and wider audience. The Trust, in turn, receives its support under its EECA mandate and from its generous sponsors. The Trust was set up by the original EV Champions in NZ, and the current Trustees continue to volunteer their time.
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Evolocity Electric Wheels Festival Coming to Hamilton
Don't miss Hamilton's first-ever electrically charged Festival – celebrating the acceleration into our lives of E-vehicles!
Held in partnership with the Waikato Engineering Careers Association and Waikato EV Owners, the EVolocity Electric Wheels Festival, is coming to Kartsport Track, opposite the airport, Saturday, September 29.
The festival includes the Waikato regional finals of EVolocity, the electric vehicle secondary schools competition. Executive Director Rob McEwen says EVolocity Waikato has thirty-nine teams competing from 21 Waikato schools this year, more than any other region in New Zealand. "But, it's not just the number of schools and teams, it's the Waikato attitude and determination which sets them apart from the rest."
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Busting EV Myths Part 6
Read the 6th part of our series "Busting EV Myths" by clicking this link here
Topics Covered:
Myth: Batteries Have Short Life Spans
Myth: Batteries Can Not Be Recycled
Myth: Lithium is Rare
Busting EV Myths Part 1
It's hard to counter all the misinformation that exists about EVs in just a few sentences. Especially where the topic is quite involved. The Better NZ Trust has produced this series of informal, simplified infographics to give #LeadingTheCharge volunteers talking points. Please share.
In Part One we Bust the following Myths:
Myth: "EV's Can't Tow"
Myth: "They're Too Expensive"
Myth: "They're Just A Fad"