From boats to EVs

This story first appeared in the August issue of EvTalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

Both of our EV experts this week have messed about in boats.

Sally Roberts from the United Kingdom met her Kiwi husband Lincoln working on a superyacht in Antigua before they settled in Auckland, establishing European Car Imports which specialises in bringing EVs mainly from the UK.

“He was the captain and I was the cook,” she says.

The boat connection didn’t just end there.

Lincoln has always been interested in cars, especially European brands such as Porsche and BMW.

The superyacht owner was a car dealer and offered to help set up a business in New Zealand.

The couple had planned to settle in Australia, but the business offer saw the Roberts eventually establish in Waimauku, about 30 minutes’ drive west of downtown Auckland.

“We are an import service rather than a dealership,” Sally says of European Car Imports.

“We ‘import to order’ high-end European vehicles and EVs from the UK, and clients get the benefit of the 20% tax reclaim on new or near new vehicles exported from there, we then manage all the import logistics and get the vehicles NZ road-ready.”

The Roberts’ business began in 2013 and they started getting EV enquiries by 2015.

“We brought out our first Nissan Leaf 30kWh in early 2016,” Sally recalls.

Amid growing demand from Kiwis for EVs, European Car Imports also helped early adopters Civic Contractors get six Nissan e-NV200 vans.

European Car Imports has recently brought in a Jaguar I-Pace and had previously imported a Tesla Model S, BMW I3, BMW I8 and 40kwh Nissan Leafs and e-NV200s, Porsche Cayenne hybrids and Mercedes hybrids.

Prices are still high for many new EVs, but Sally expects that will come down as more EV models with greater range and better technology become available.

“Customers come to us saying what they want and we go out and find exactly that and give them an accurate cost to their driveway in NZ so they can decide if it works for them,” she explains.

Sally specialises in EVs and motorhomes, adding she’s also had some enquiries for Nissan e-NV200 vans converted into campers.

With more premium EVs like the Mercedes EQC and Porsche Taycan due out soon, Sally sees demand growing at this end of the market.

“I think the next few years will be busier for the EV side of our business,” she adds.

Common questions are usually about range and cost.

“With EVs now capable of doing 200 to 400km on a single charge, range is becoming less of an issue.”

Working mainly online (they don’t store or hold stock so don’t need a yard), the Roberts say they operate mainly on UK time for their business, which gives them the flexibility to work around school hours and enjoy time with their two young sons.

Or at least that’s the theory, but long days are certainly part of a growing business operating in two time zones.

While the Roberts don’t own any EVs themselves yet, that’s something they could consider soon.

And they also supply customers with chargers through Paul O’Connor’s OEM to ensure safety and compliance with New Zealand regulations.

Nearly 10% of all their imports are now EVs.

The Better NZ Trust’s events co-ordinator and social media administrator Rachelle Tilsley from Auckland’s North Shore, includes boats among her many life experiences.

She and her family lived on a long keel yacht in New South Wales, Australia for two years, while her two daughters were pre-school age.

Until Tilsley started with ChargeNet NZ in May 2016, she had never heard of an EV before.

Working for ChargeNet founders Steve and Dee West, she soon learned the EV ropes, doing the administration, marketing, and helpdesk.

“My job has always included marketing and desktop publishing,” the published author says.

“The Wests are like family to me and they eventually helped me into my current role as part-time events co-ordinator for The Better NZ Trust.”

The trust was set up by the Wests, along with Carl Barlev of Blue Cars, to help facilitate the uptake of EVs in New Zealand.

Kathryn Trounson became trust chair and, with trustee Sean Dick, is heavily involved in the day-to-day operation.

Well known for his work with EVs, Sigurd Magnusson, of Wellington, is also a trustee.

Tilsley says the trust is undergoing a change of direction, as consumer needs are changing.

More information days are now planned, rather than just EV rides and drives.

Much of the education is around busting myths.

Known for its annual Leading the Charge EV tour of New Zealand, and International Drive Electric Week in September, the trust also had a big presence at EVworld 2019 in Auckland from August 1-3, where the #LeadingTheCharge volunteers provided cars for EV rides.

“The Auckland Showgrounds is like a second home to me, and organising expos is just second nature,” Tilsley says, who grew up with shows and expos with dad Bob Tilsley, renowned for his work in agricultural associations.

The trust now has about 13,000 annual registrations and more than 200 volunteers.

Regional leaders in each area organising their own events throughout the year with flags, gazebos, brochures and other items supplied by the trust.

Asked about the Government’s clean car plan, Tilsley says the trust supports it generally and is putting in a submission before the August 20 consultation closure.

Tilsley drives a BMW i3 she bought from Auckland City Electric Vehicles which sponsored part of the #LeadingTheCharge trip in March.

The charitable trust is always looking for sponsors with a view to championing sustainable options for New Zealanders.