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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.
New Zealand has passed the "tipping point" where most people buying solar panels will save more money than they spend on them, researchers say, but more could be done to unlock households' ability to make use of solar power. Josh Ellison, research lead for Rewiring Aotearoa, said the country was one of the first where the electrification of homes and vehicles could deliver cost-of-living savings and reductions in emissions at the same time. He said the tipping point was probably passed about three years ago but has now been crossed for battery storage systems, too.
There can't be too many off-grid MPs in the world, but Celia Wade-Brown is one of them and she's the latest candidate in our ongoing series Political Power, where we get up close and personal with our elected representatives about their energy use.
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