Annual 3,000 Kilometre EV Road Trip Stops at Unison Fast Chargers
A group of 12 electric vehicle (EV) enthusiasts, driving 3,000 kilometres from Bluff to Cape Reinga, will be stopping at Unison’s fast-chargers in Hawke’s Bay, Taupo and Rotorua next week.
Having begun their annual ‘Toe to Tip’ journey in Bluff on 19 April, the ‘Leading the Charge’ convoy includes four Tesla S’, a BMW i3, a Renault Zoe, Nissan Leaf and a Hyundai Ioniq amongst other EVs. The drivers are out to once again prove that driving long-distance using 100 percent electric power is possible with today’s charging infrastructure.
Unison Relationship Manager, Danny Gough said Unison is organising events at each of the four Unison ‘Power Park’ fast- chargers as part of its continued focus on supporting customers with their energy choices.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to find out more about EVs, see a wide range of electric vehicles, ask questions and even go for a drive,” Mr Gough said.
He said this year’s road trip is very different from the first road trip in 2015 and even last year’s, demonstrating how quickly the clean technology is developing.
“The number of cars on the road trip have more than doubled since last year, the amount of EVs generally in New Zealand have tripled since March 2016, and we are now heading towards 100 fast-charging stations across the country. When the first road trip started in 2015 there was one. Fortunately, the cars involved in that trip were Teslas and have a range of 400km meaning they could be driven all day and charged overnight.”
“Since May last year, Unison has installed three fast chargers and will have its fourth commissioned in Taupo in time for the convoy’s arrival,” he said.
A further two Unison ‘Power Park’ fast-chargers will also be unveiled along the Napier-Taupo Road in June this year.
In establishing the fast-chargers throughout the regions they service, Unison worked closely with the Hastings, Napier, Taupo and Rotorua councils, which will assist in the co-ordination of the Toe to Tip events.
The Toe to Tip events are being held at the following locations and times:
Hastings
Tuesday 2 May, 12.30pm – 2.00pm
Hastings CBD, Heretaunga Street
Napier
Tuesday 2 May, 4.30pm – 6.00pm
Dickens Street Carpark
Taupo
Wednesday 3 May, 12.00pm – 2.00pm
Northcroft Reserve
Rotorua
Thursday 4 May, 5.00pm onwards
Rotorua Night Market Tutanekai Street
For further information about Leading the Charge visit: http://www.leadingthecharge.org.nz/ Those interested in learning more about electric vehicles or Unison’s Power Park charging stations can visit www.unison.co.nz/electric-vehicle-charging.