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There are now almost 100,000 full electric vehicles on the roads in New Zealand. And, according to new Consumer NZ research, which was conducted before war broke out in the Middle East and petrol prices spiked, 96% of EV owners would buy another EV.
"Over half of EV owners made the switch with the anticipation of lower running costs, and 81% of current owners say their operating costs are much cheaper. Environmental considerations were also a key factor."
We've seen similar stats from overseas and we often see initial EV scepticism turn into absolute fandom once people actually drive one and understand that they are generally better and cheaper than their fossil fuel equivalents.
Some people buy them because they like going to sleep and having a full tank in morning. Some buy them because they can get the the equivalent of around $1.50 per litre if they charge up via the grid (and less if they fill up with solar) and don't have to pay as much for servicing. Some buy them because upgrading to an electric car is the emissions equivalent of 107 return flights between Queenstown and Auckland. And some buy them because they can take off faster than a V8 at the lights.
Whether it’s an old Nissan Leaf that takes care of the daily duties for way less, a new Polestar that can go the length of the North Island on one charge, or a fleet of EVs for your workers that helps you meet emissions targets, there is an EV out there for you. So if you feel like you're missing out and you're ready to upgrade, maybe it's time you start driving on electrons. A 96% satisfaction rate is a pretty bloody good endorsement.
When Mike Casey bought his house near Cromwell, it came with gas bottles on the side of the home for water and an expensive diesel system for the underfloor heating. He replaced both of them with a Steibel Eltron system and it's been saving him money ever since. As technical manager Bhawesh Singh told him at the Electrify Queenstown conference, there has been a big influx in enquiries from homes looking to get off the molecules and onto electrons.
Read moreDownloadConfidence that cutting regulations to make solar power more accessible - won't jeopardise people's safety. A new Regulation Ministry reports laid out a potential blueprint to legalise plug-in solar and reduce the time and cost of panel installation. Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey shares his thoughts with Andrew Dickens.
The burgeoning demand for solar was also a chance to address a mismatch between the numbers of training opportunities available and young people searching for work, Casey said. "The mums of New Zealand are telling me that there's not enough apprenticeships for their kids and the solar installers of New Zealand are telling me there's not enough trained people."
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