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"Imagine, during a power cut, still being able to operate your business’ internet, EFTPos and POS systems via a backup power source. Or, at home, being able to charge your phone, boil water for a cuppa, or keep the fridge running." Jonathan Holmes from Electrify Wānaka says this is possible with an electric vehicle and four new models - including a fully electric ute - were shown off at Mitre 10 Wānaka over the weekend.
He said the display particularly targets tradies with two of the latest electric utes and vans, as well as SUVs, on display.
Unlike a fossil fuel vehicle which only takes in energy, an EV can also redirect energy out in what’s known as V2X - vehicle to house, vehicle to load, vehicle to grid, he said.
“We will have power tools, including a Mitre saw, plugged into the vehicles to demonstrate an EV’s capability,” he said.
On display will be a three tonne ute with a one tonne payload capacity. It has all the bells and whistles but is cheaper to operate, requires less maintenance, and can run power tools or recharge tool batteries.
If you've got solar, the best option is to use as much of it as possible to avoid high grid prices, but being paid to export energy is a nice cherry on top. It means many New Zealanders end up getting paid by their power company and shorten the payback period of their systems. Regulatory changes that meant customers would be paid more for exporting at peak times were meant to make batteries more appealing to customers and reduce the need for more investment in expensive poles and wires, but, as Marc Daalder writes in Newsroom, some retailers are not passing on the full value of those exports.
Read moreDownloadFinancial commentator Frances Cook uses her own story to show that that an investment in solar and an EV significantly outperforms the stock market and fellow number cruncher Nadine Higgins says that if you do it right, EVs are cheaper to run and own; EV sales have climbed to their highest level since 2022 and are closing in on 2023's numbers and Go Rentals has just invested $2.3 million in some new Tesla Model Y Premiums; the gap between energy costs of diesel vans and utes and electric vans and utes is absolutely massive; solar is also going off right now, with one installer in Otago 448% above their sales target in March; Lightforce has gone back to the Barretts with a new TV ad; Wellington mayor Andrew Little explains its electrification strategy and Hutt City Council shares data showing how its fleet has gone from dirty Toyotas to cleaner EVs; Shenzen in China has electrified its public transport and taxis and that's come with big benefits - and some challenges; and a very simple illustration of the LNG terminal.
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