Stephenson says a lot of people within ACT are interested in technology and economics and, as he says, those two things are coming together in the realm of electrification. As Rewiring's research shows, New Zealand is now at the point where new electric machines (including finance) can save money from day one and are cheaper over the long-run because they cost less to operate.

ACT isn't keen on subsidies (although they aren't really needed anymore because the economics are so compelling on their own as energy prices rise and the cost of electric machines come down), but it is keen on free and fair markets and cutting red tape, both of which we've been asking for. Both of those things would level the playing field for customers to compete with big energy companies and help bring prices down (as an example, Australia can install solar at around half the price New Zealand can).

He has loved the new Avenger and says it's been great for tripping around Central Otago and on longer trips down to Invercargill, where he grew up. ACT leader David Seymour has been in the car with him on a few occasions (he particularly enjoyed the indicator beatbox and, as a qualified electrical engineer, he should understand the increased efficiency of electric machines).

Because there are fewer moving parts in EVs, very little maintenance is required in comparison to petrol cars and he loves the quietness of it. While he use fast chargers at this stage - which is the most expensive way to do it - he did have an EV charger installed in his apartment in Australia.

When it comes to solar, his house was designed with that in mind and he is confident that will happen at some stage. Queenstown has a higher than average adoption rate, in part due to higher incomes, and he believes solar and batteries make great sense for a place like this because it gets a lot of sun, is staring down the barrel of a big earthquake, and often has to deal with pressure on the grid at peak times.

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