EV invasion for Waiheke Island

Electric mobility from e-bikes to cars, trucks, ferries and aircraft take centre stage on Auckland’s Waiheke Island over coming days.

EVtalk’s inaugural EVs and Beyond conference at the Waiheke Island Resort covers a wide range of related topics from March 16-17.

International guest speakers will be among the scores of visitors attending.

Registrations close at noon on Friday March 13, so be in quick to get a last seat.

In a preview, an Electric Island Waiheke public open day is on Saturday, March 14, 9am-3pm, at the Waiheke Sports Club, Ostend.

It will feature a variety of electric bikes and other e-mobility, including Mercury’s Drive EV subscription service, Teslas, a Mercedes-Benz EQC, a Hyundai Nexo, a Fuso e-Canter truck, solar power and other related charging solutions.

There’s also a record attempt for the most EVs in one place on Sunday, March 15, at the PlaceMakers Waiheke Store carpark, also at Ostend, 3pm.

The Electric Island Waiheke Trust is dedicated to having Waiheke Island in Auckland become the world’s first all-electric residential island by 2030.

In fact, the trust chair Max Parkin will help open the EVs and Beyond conference on March 16, joined by EV advocate and Waiheke Local Board chair Cath Handley.

The programme includes Audi NZ’s Dean Sheed on what NZ and the world is doing around e-mobility, representatives from New Zealand’s automotive industry, a session on national EV policies and progress on other forms of e-mobility such as e-bikes, electric ferries and more.

A special report will be presented by Drive Electric around fleets driving new EV sales, while mobility as a service (MaaS), EV subscription services, autonomous vehicles (AVs) and more round out the first day.

Auckland’s commitment to climate change, EV charging developments and using EVs to provide power launch conference sessions on March 17.

Hydrogen and other clean energy feature on day two alongside energy resilience discussions and a look to the future.

EVtalk publisher Auto Media Group editorial director Richard Edwards moderates sessions and will summarise the conference to round it off.

Conference sponsors are Platinum Sponsor YHI Energy, Gold Sponsors Autohub, Fuso and UDC; Silver Sponsors ChargeNet, GVI Electric, Laser Plumbing and Electrical NZ, SG Fleet (Polaris Commercial), Auckland City Electric Vehicles (ACEV) and Autosure New Zealand.

Guest can use EV services such as electric taxis, e-bikes and more to get around on the island.

Registration includes access to the two-day conference, along with food and beverages (excluding dinner) over the two-days.

Ticket cost is $450 + GST and can be purchased via evtalk.co.nz

If you have any further questions contact event co-ordinator Deborah Baxter on 027 530 5016 or email deborah@automediagroup.co.nz for more information.