Electric vehicle road trip expands

First Published in the Timaru Herald by Greta Yeoman on 28 March 2019

A roadshow of electric vehicles will wheel its way into Geraldine on April 13.

The BetterNZ Trust is bringing its fifth annual #LeadingTheCharge Great EV Road Trip to South Canterbury next month, including stops in Tekapo on April 12 and Geraldine the next day.

It will be the first time the nationwide roadshow has come to Geraldine.

Residents will be able to get advice about electric vehicles as well as getting the chance to trial-drive the cars themselves.

The Great EV Road Trip is run by the Better NZ Trust, supported by the Energy and Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA).

Better NZ Trust chairwoman Kathryn Trounson said the road trip team would be visiting large and small towns across the country.

The Great EV Road Trip had been able to extend its tour to previously unvisited smaller towns because of both improved battery storage capabilities in the vehicles and the ever-growing network of charging stations across New Zealand.

“[This] means that electric vehicles can now go anywhere in New Zealand.”

Mrs Trounson said the annual road trip had become a popular fixture on the calendar for electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts nationwide.

It was a good opportunity for those who did not own an electric car, but wanted to know more, to have their questions answered, she said.

“It is a fun and easy way for people to find out everything they ever wanted to know about electric vehicles and to get a chance to drive or ride in a variety of electric vehicles for free.”

The Great EV Road Trip will be visiting Geraldine from 10.30am to noon on Saturday, April 13, at the Village Green (off Talbot St). It will also be in Tekapo on Friday, April 12, from 3pm-5pm on the forecourt of Aotea Gifts, 8 Rapuwai Lane, Lake Tekapo.