Filed under: EV/Plug-in
New Zealand's Meridian Energy will test electric cars on a "small scale" in 2008
If you click over to the Meridian Energy site these days, you'll see a little ad to win an "energy efficient hybrid car." But this little promotion is not the only way that the New Zealand utility is trying to green up the place. Meridian is New Zealand's only carbon neutral electricity and next year will begin testing (on a small scale) some electric cars. The story we found on Lexis Nexis and Meridian's press release give zero information on the type and number of these EVs, so we'll just have to speculate.What we do know is that Meridian wants to:
- "To test how electric cars perform in New Zealand conditions
- To find out what New Zealanders think about electric cars
- To encourage the auto industry to look more closely at opportunities in New Zealand."
Related:
[Source: The Dominion Post (Wellington, New Zealand)]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gordon Shaw 9:27PM (10/31/2007)
Electric cars are the first step on a sustainable future.
Getting past the apathy of vehicle users for the advantges of electric vehilces will be a big step.
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Chris M 3:01AM (11/01/2007)
I wonder what kind of electric cars they plan to promote. Will it be little slow NEVs with limited range? Will it be something faster, able to keep up with traffic? Will it be really fast and long range, but very expensive?
New Zealand is a small island nation, so range may be less of an issue there. Still, it would be nice to have enough range to go from one end of the island to the other!
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Ross Blade 7:57PM (11/25/2007)
We are a small business in Australia converting Hyundai Getz to electric powered cars. We have our own design and in 2007 started selling electric vehicles to public. Our experience has demonestrated that electric vehicle is a practical concept and would be delighted to discuss various aspects of this idea with interested parties.
Ross Blade
ross.blade@bev.com.au
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jim koenig 12:24PM (10/10/2008)
25 years ago an aussie family w/ a mortuary came to the U.S. to buy limousines from my employer. They offered me a job building cars in Melborne because import duty was very high. My wife said no. oh well. Now she's gone and Ive been wanting to immigrate to New Zealand. 30 years of custom car experience. I would l love to see NZ become a user and an exporter of electric vehicles. Would manufacturing them locally keep cost down? what is the import cost? Does your government assist with grant money? How can I get involved?
jimkoenig@yahoo.com
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