#LeadingTheCharge
the Electric Vehicle enthusiasts group

SI Road Trip Days 1 and 2

Day 1 of the journey, and the South Island travellers made our way from all over the South Island (and beyond!) into Christchurch.

Proudly displaying the EV Road Trip Sticker

The first official meetup was to be at the Speights Ale House in Riccarton where we received our #LeadingTheCharge 2020 Road Tour stickers and proudly plastered then on the cars where-ever we found a space.  We were also extremely thankful for the special Charging Fobs from ChargeNet, giving us access to fast free electrons for the roadtrip itself.  ChargeNet have been regular sponsors of the BetterNZ Trust Road Trips and have made the expenses for the volunteers much easier to cope with.

We were joined at the meetup by a contingent from the Christchurch EV Group and were warned of the pending power cuts likely to occur in the weather bomb coming tomorrow!  It was a relaxing time meeting new friends and catching up with previous acquaintances.

 DAY TWO:

Our first significant visit was the trip out to Electric Air at the Rangiora airfield to visit the country's first fully electric plane.  Because of the weather forecast we had to visit the plane in its hanger, rather than on the airfield and for that reason the opportunity for local EV owners to visit along with us was postponed.  I know that Gary will be pleased to host the Christchurch EV Group on one of their monthly Wednesday meetings.

Gary greets the owners Exploring the plane's charger

After exploring the plane (sorry - no photos available until after its official launch) and admiring the charging setup, we relaxed in the clubrooms, met the chief flying instructor and enjoyed the hospitality of the team there.

I'm departing the tour now until Friday when I will catch up with the trippers at the Benmore Dam.