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Queenstown Electrification Accelerator project lead Josh Ellison explains the potential of V2G and the launch of the country's biggest trial in Queenstown. As he said: "A new EV can store three to four days’ worth of household electricity use in its battery, and EV owners with a V2G charger and rooftop solar could keep charging their vehicles indefinitely."
"In the future, when most vehicles are expected to be electric, just half of the nationwide fleet could hold more energy capacity than all the country’s power stations combined, he says.
A small number of chargers will be installed in selected homes and businesses early next year to allow some initial testing.
QEA will then release a more detailed application process for all the vehicle and charger types in the trial so the remainder of the installations can be done, probably by the middle of next year.
"We’ve already had a lot of people register their interest."
As gas supplies decline and prices rise, electrification is the best bet, but it's hard for big businesses without government support. Kirsty Johnston talks to Rainbow Nurseries about how it made the switch with help from a grant, and others who are unsure they will be able to keep getting gas. As one busines owner said: "We never considered the risk to the business of not actually having natural gas," one participant said. "We always expect that the price could fluctuate… But we never anticipated maybe having no gas coming from the pipeline." There are ways for the Government to help. And there is a huge amount of new renewable electricity coming on stream, so there won't be a shortage of electrons.
Read moreDownloadMarc Daalder reports on Vector's declining gas network and how it is responding to falling customer numbers. As he writes: "Gas in Auckland is formally past its peak in the latest forecasts from Vector, the city’s only gas distribution business, with new connections set to fall to zero in three years ... From 2029, there would be no new residential or commercial connections – with new industrial connections projected to have already ceased this year."
Read moreDownload'I'm a bogan and I have no problem with the bastardisation of motor vehicles. You can stick whatever motor you like into whatever else you like.' Antz Davies, you are a true boganic Bright Spark and we salute you because it's the bogans that we need to be convincing! Davies is the main brain behind Watt Rods, a Lower Hutt company that converts old cars to electric. "Any and all vehicles, old or new, four wheels or two, big or small, on road or off, fully customised to your requirements."
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