Electricarna 2026
The 2026 Electricarna event was held on a bright blue‑sky day in Taupō on Saturday, 14 March. Northcroft Reserve had received a well‑deserved makeover by the Taupō District Council, and it suited our display format perfectly. Vehicles were positioned facing the walking, running, and cycling track from both sides, allowing visitors to stroll easily through the exhibits. A central pebbled square served as the focal point for speeches and, importantly, the food trucks.
Introducing a series of short speeches was a new addition to the event and was widely considered a success. Matt Newman from Rewiring Aotearoa kicked things off brilliantly, followed by Vero Schmidt from ChargeNet, Tony Murrell (a relatively new EV driver), Scott Willis MP, James Cozens from Zilch, and Ned van Geffen from Drive EV.
Tesla once again offered test drives of the Model 3 and Model Y, encouraging drivers to experience the ‘Full Self‑Driving’ option. The general consensus was that it was amazing, if slightly scary, as the car makes many of the decisions drivers usually make themselves. In addition to the test drives, Tesla also had two display vehicles available for closer inspection.
We were very honoured to welcome Scott Willis, Green MP and Energy Spokesperson. While he drives a BYD Atto 3 when at home in Dunedin, he enjoyed looking at a wide range of vehicles and chatting with owners. He test‑drove a Veehop 4WD electric ATV brought along by EV East in Tauranga, as did many others. With four‑wheel drive and independent suspension on all wheels, the ‘scooter’ displayed some impressive capabilities, whether sitting or standing on the chassis.
We were also excited to see the JAC fully electric mid‑sized flatbed truck, sporting one of the best slogans we’ve seen in a long time: “Zero Emissions Given.” Parked alongside it was a Riddara fully electric ute towing a trailer carrying a fully electric digger, courtesy of Greg Gedson — a combination that attracted plenty of attention.
Gavin Shoebridge excelled himself yet again by bringing along a Zeekr 009 for display. This substantial PHEV SUV seats six people, with the middle row featuring swivelling captain’s chairs.
Ebbett’s Rotorua showcased an Atto 2, a Sealion, and an MG IM6, highlighting some of the newer EV offerings now available in New Zealand.
Ned from Drive EV demonstrated how an old Nissan Leaf battery can be upcycled using an inverter, giving the battery a new lease of life. Set up in the back of his Nissan e‑NV200 van — complete with a couch, gaming console, and TV — it was the perfect place to take respite from the blazing sun. It was also a great example of how many Leaf batteries are already being repurposed for home energy storage.
ChargeNet were on hand demonstrating and explaining their brand‑new Autocharge option, which allows compatible EVs to simply plug into a supported fast charger and have the charging session start automatically.
A huge part of Electricarna’s success comes from the private EV owners who generously volunteer their time. In addition to the already impressive EV line up we also had around 25 EV drivers who brought along their own vehicles, proudly sharing their experiences and enthusiasm with the public. The range on display — from Polestars and MGs to Teslas, Leafs, and even a Riddara electric ute towing an electric digger — highlighted the strength and diversity of the EV community.
Finally, we were delighted to have two food trucks this year. Robyn brought her Scooped van, serving coffee and ice cream, while Selena’s Bubble Tea van offered bubble tea alongside excellent bacon sandwiches and toasted sammies made to order. We were extremely well served in the food and drink department.
