A convoy of electric vehicles (EVs) are buzzing into Lower Hutt this month as part of the #LeadingTheCharge countrywide road trip.
The exhibition will arrive at Dowse square on Thursday, March 22 after having travelled roughly half of their journey from Bluff to Cape Reinga.
Aimed at promoting electric vehicles the silent convoy of BMW i3, Hyundai IONIQ, Nissan Leaf and Tesla will allow Hutt City residents and CBD businesses to see a range of EVs, chat to drivers and even take the wheel for that important 'test drive'.
As an owner of an electric vehicle, Mayor of Lower Hutt Ray Wallace is looking forward to the event.
Wallace says, "As the effects of climate change become more obvious, our city's future lies in the protection and enhancement of the environment, where risk, such as vehicle emissions, is recognised and responded to.
"Making changes like switching to electric vehicles is a huge step in the right direction.
The 2018 #LeadingTheCharge Road trip will be boosted by the presence of Chelsea Sexton, a prominent US electric car advocate and advisor.
Sexton says, "The single most effective thing we can do to get people to consider EVs is to have that opportunity to see them, to talk to people, or drive one themselves.
For twenty years we have been getting more butts in seats and universally the reaction is, oh goodness it's just like a real car, they totally are, and in many cases, they're better.
This is yet another important push to promote EVs in NZ.
With adoption rates of EVs still higher than initially expected this campaign aims to inspire even more Kiwis to consider an EV as their next vehicle.
As the adoption rate continues to rise, EVs will continue to become more affordable, especially hybrid-electric vehicles, which have become quite popular over the past 12 months.
This price drop will, in turn, drive up the adoption rate even more, as EVs become more attainable for the general population.
