EV record drive attempt

Tesla Owners Club of New Zealand founder and president John Fitness is driving his Model 3 from Cape Reinga to Bluff with the least number of charging stops in a record attempt.

Fitness expects to have six charging stops — three in the North Island and three in the South Island -travelling about 300km in between.

The two-day 2068km journey is due to end in Bluff on February 5.

The attempt has been approved by the Guinness Book of World Records, and Fitness has witnesses along the way to verify it,

The attempt has been approved by the Guinness Book of World Records, and Fitness has witnesses along the way to verify it,

The attempt has been approved by the Guinness Book of World Records, and Fitness has witnesses along the way to verify it,

The attempt has been approved by the Guinness Book of World Records, and Fitness has witnesses along the way to verify it, including 2019 EVworld NZ Champion of the Year Joe Camuso.

Fitness, who featured in EVs and Beyond in August 2018 when among the first to reserve a Model 3, stopped for charging at Whangarei where Whangarei mayor Sheryl Mai caught up with him.

Charge stops are planned in Hamilton and Mangaweka before Fitness arrives in Wellington to board the Cook Strait ferry.

He then charges up again in Ward, Christchurch and Palmerston before ending the trip at Bluff.

Fitness believes New Zealand now has the EV charging infrastructure to make such a record run possible.

He expects new EVs will soon become more affordable for Kiwis as the up-front costs tend to put off would-be EV buyers despite the long-term benefits .