Mercury display a hit

This story first appeared in the november issue of evtalk CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

Mercury’s fully eletric converted 1957 Ford Fairlane proved popular at Big Boys Toys in Auckland on November 1-3.

Thousands who walked through the ASB Showgrounds gates had never seen an EV before spotting Mercury’s yellow Evie.

More than 580 people enjoyed an Evie virtual reality (VR) drive experience, with queues forming at times.

The VR allows a driver and three passengers to experience a 3D virtual tour of downtown Auckland via headsets while sitting in Evie.

The drive takes VR headset wearers past landmarks such as the Ferry Building and along Quay Street and the Waitemata Harbour.

The tour includes a cruise in the country, where VR users see where Mercury’s renewable energy comes from.

Interesting tips were provided – like it only costs $5 to fully charge Evie, less than a coffee in many Auckland cafes.
And despite Evie being a heavyweight classic, she can still be driven from Auckland to Hamilton on one charge.

Talking to people about what makes Evie special, and why the electrification of transport is so important to New Zealand’s future, was a key reason for Mercury’s attendance.

Mercury brand and activation manager Sarah Cowan says since Big Boys Toys added the Electric Avenue to the Driven Hall it’s been the “perfect environment to share the benefits of renewable energy and electric transport” to visitors.

“Our ever-popular e-bike and e-scooter ride days were up and running again too,” Cowan says.

The Ride Day had 269 people try e-mobility transport for free, many saying e-bikes are easier to use than they imagined – and fun.