Welcome to the March 2021 EVs and Beyond magazine
EV sales are soaring along with interest in renewables and sustainability.
All that and more is up for discussion at EVs and Beyond’s The EVent conference on April 12 and 13, 2021, following its postponement prompted by Auckland’s COVID-19 March level 3 and 2 restrictions.
The conference on ‘Electric Island’ Waiheke has almost the same series of knowledgeable and influential speakers as lined up prior, such as Climate Change Commission chair Rod Carr, UBCO NZ chief executive Timothy Allan, Auckland Transport bus fleet transition specialist Steve Zahorodny, ChargeNet NZ chief executive Steve West, ElectricAir founder Gary Freedman, consultant Liz Yeaman, Aaron Gillon of YHI and former MG New Zealand country manager Anthony MacLean.
Kiwi rally driver Hayden Paddon talks about his new electric rally car and the prospects for electric motorsport at a networking dinner on April 12.
Visit www.evsandbeyond.co.nz/tickets to grab your conference spot or contact Deborah on deborah@automediagroup.co.nz or phone 027 530 5016 for more.
Hydrogen has a place as a transport fuel in the eyes of Auckland Transport which launches New Zealand’s first hydrogen fuel cell bus at the Ports of Auckland on March 30.
And electric buses are already on the road, while the first EV coach bus has been launched in Auckland’s north for daily operations between Warkworth and Auckland City.
You can read more about these alternative fuelled buses in this issue.
Driverless vehicles expert Mitchell Gingrich asks if New Zealand is ready for autonomous vehicles (AVs), explaining we need to move quickly on related rules and regulations before it’s too late.
While on AVs, Volkswagen is looking to make its first one from the electric ID.Buzz.
We check out a jump in e-bike thefts with Hybrid Bikes owner Frank Witowski offering his thoughts on how e-bike owners and sellers can help stop the trend.
Hyundai’s new Ioniq 5 is sure to be a hit and will be closely followed by sister company Kia’s EV6.
Plus there’s more on FTN Motion’s electric Kiwi café racer.
EV dealerships expect a bumper year, saying 2021 has got off to a flying start in many areas.
But along with many other businesses they are unlikely to tolerate much more in the way of COVID-19 restrictions as the early part of this year continues to be plagued by them.
A Northland family is taking a Turners Subsciption EV on a jaunt around their area to see how it works and we profile a new consultancy aiming to help with the e-mobility transition and sustainability.
ITSNZ prepares for its T-Tech conference and we feature a new form of EV charging using Lego-like swappable batteries, automation and an easily installed small structure that a Californian company hopes will go global because of its simplicity.
A new columnist suggests government calls here and in Australia will define the future of EVs in both countries.
And you can read about EV related highlights here and overseas, along with the latest statistics and more.
Enjoy your read.
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