Wellington market has EV display

Five EVs were displayed at the Wellington Harbourside Market attended by about 15,000 people, with organiser Rob Birnie reporting keen interest in EVs with many considering a switch.

The EVs displayed included a 2020 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus, a 2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range, a 2019 Tesla Model X Long Range, a 2015 Nissan Leaf and a 2020 Mini Cooper SE Hatch, supported by seven volunteers.

Weather permitting, a wider range of EVs – including an EV race car – will be back at the market on Sunday, August 22.

EV rides weren’t possible at the event but the market provided plenty of opportunity to engage with visitors, at least five of whom were planning to buy an EV soon.

Several visitors reported they were pleased the group comprised EV owners able to speak about the capabilities of different vehicles and not prioritising the promotion of one vehicle over any others, Birnie told the Better NZ Trust.

He says it was impossible to keep up with demand and interact with all individuals and groups who approached the stall.

Multiple customers were referred to EV specialist retailers (such as Drive EV and GVI Electric), or retailers known to provide good service in relation to EVs, Birnie adds.

“One volunteer estimated that based on language used by the individuals and family groups he was speaking with, that around two-thirds of them were seriously considering a purchase of an EV, with the rest either not currently capable of purchasing an EV or wanting EVs to be more mainstream before making the leap.”