The case for energy loans: read our latest explainer
It's not just homes that are getting off the gas. A number of big new facilities are going all-electric, too, including the new Te Kaha / One NZ Stadium in Christchurch. As project director Kent Summerfield says, the covered 25,000 seat stadium (30,000 with the temporary seats) will run entirely on electrons, from the cooking to the heating to the ice baths to the machines required for maintenance and operation.
This makes obvious sense from an emissions reduction perspective. Christchurch City Council pushed hard for this with the stadium, but it also makes economic sense over the long-term given and it's great to see more councils making this is a requirement of any new public buildings.
The design allows for solar panels to be added in the future and there will also be charging stations for electric vehicles.
While the stadium had initially looked at buying a fossil fuel tractor to haul stuff out onto the field, in the time it's taken to be built, the technology has continued to improve and the costs have continued to fall, so it is now looking at buying an electric equivalent.
The atmosphere is going to be electric inside the stadium - and in central Christchurch - when the first game kicks off in April. And it's good to know the energy it needs will be coming from the right place.
Rewiring Aotearoa is in favour of universal Road User Charges as we believe it will address an artificial market distortion for vehicles that is not in New Zealand’s economic, fuel security, or resilience interests. Here's what we told the Select Committee.
Read moreDownloadThe story of Uruguay's renewable push and why it's relevant here; EVs reach a tipping point in the EU, but they're growing in developing nations, too; Tauranga Crossing and Endless Energy go vertical with a new solar install; new research shows panels keep on trucking far past their warranty periods; and if you need a hand getting out on the waves, how about getting your own electric towing machine.
Read moreDownloadOur Political Power series aims to show that going electric is good for everyone, no matter where you sit on the political sprectrum. Whether you're looking to lower costs, reduce emissions or increase resilience, it increasingly makes sense at an individual, community and country level and ACT's Todd Stephenson, who bought an electric Jeep around one year ago and built his new home in Queenstown to run on electrons, is a good example of that.
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