Tesla Model 3 big attraction at Drive Electric Week

The Tesla Model 3 stole just about every show in which it featured during Drive Electric Week, September 15-22.

So says Kathryn Trounson, chair of the Better NZ Trust which promoted the events.

Many displaying their Model 3s had only recently received them, one getting his just the afternoon before the event he attended.

Turnouts varied with more than 500 at the Catalina Bay Farmers Market in Hobsonville on September 21, about 300 at the EVolicity Waikato regional finals in Hamilton the same day, and around 30-40 at various charging station openings across the country.

The Hobsonville event included Geoff Bold’s Tesla Model X, Sean Dick’s Tesla Model S and Kathyrn and Greg Trounson’s Hyundai Kona EV.

Few took advantage of EV ride and drive offers, most happy to just to look at EVs, especially new models, the trust reports.

However, about 45 EV drives and 120 rides were given at the Timaru Home and Lifestyle Show from September 13-15, most visitors saying they’d never ridden in or driven an EV before.

Many of those hosting Drive Electric Week events noticed visitors were asking more about EV battery life and reuse or recycling rather than EV range and reliability.

Further EV rides and drives will be offered at several events coming up in the next few months, including the Better Home and Living Show at the North Shore Event Centre on October 11-13.