Blue Cars’ Leaf upgrade prototype on tour

Carl Barlev of Blue Cars is road testing a Gen 1 Nissan Leaf with a 38kWh battery upgrade on a return trip from Auckland to Nelson.

He says it will demonstrate range and performance with the road test scheduled to end back in Auckland on Christmas eve.

Barlev is stopping at EV dealerships and topping up at ChargeNet NZ stations along the way.

Leaving Auckland’s Mt Eden on December 14, the Leaf charged up at Hamilton after doing 127.5km in just under two hours with 93km remaining on the clock.

Then followed a 159.5km non-stop journey to Drive EV in Taupo, arriving with about 37km remaining.

“We only charged to 90% at the fast charger in Taupo, so projected total range over 200km despite driving uphill at highway speeds,” Barlev says.

After staying overnight in Taupo, Barlev made Palmerston North with about 3km to spare on the clock following a top up in Waiouru.

A stop in Otaki is planned to see a customer before the Leaf is due to arrive in Wellington on the evening of December 16 with Barlev expected in Nelson on December 18.

Check Facebook for Blue Cars’ progress.