"It's very efficient. It drives smooth. I think people are nervous when they get off diesel or petrol. But when you get into an EV it's actually very, very seamless. I encourage people to give it a go." In the latest episode of our ongoing series Political Power, where we talk to our representatives about the machines in their lives, Nancy Lu, list MP for National, shares the love she has for her Tesla, which she bought four or five years ago and mostly charges at home.
At the start, she says she did get quite worried about running out of battery but not anymore and, as Mike Casey says, range anxiety is generally just an issue for those who haven't driven EVs.
She has installed an EV charger at home and says it's very easy to plug in.
Once you've electrified your own life, we always recommend trying to electrify someone else's life too. And Lu has obviously been doing a good job of that.
"My parents are also thinking about coming onboard to join us on the EV journey."
Solar on the roof makes that even more compelling, so that could be the next step, but cooking is a tougher sell.
The Asian community is often keen on gas as it's thought cooking at high temperatures gives the dishes a specific flavour (often known as 'wok hei').
But modern induction technology is now capable of very high heats and excellent performance - without putting those in the kitchen at risk from all the toxins.
Ben Bayly is one chef who has embraced it (as has East in Auckland) and Casey said he'd be happy take Lu to Ahi for lunch to show her what's possible with electrons.
"I think my life's work would be complete if we can get an induction cooktop in your house," he says.
"I would love that idea," says Lu.
One machine at a time ...
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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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