EV (electric vehicle) News and Discussion

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › EV (electric vehicle) News and Discussion

1 | ... | 728 | 729 | 730 | 731 | 732 | 733 | 734 | 735 | 736 | 737 | 738 | ... | 775

404 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 113

ID Verified

Trusted

#3420670 2-Oct-2025 13:41

Scott3:

Benoire:

Scott3:

awesomely long post but full of good info - thanks!

Does anybody know if the european cars from Japan (2018-20) are JDM specced or just running japanese language in the car? Ideally we would like NZ New for Type 2 compatability and car being in the correct region but if japan euros are simply a language change then we could cope with the charging adapater or cable change in the ev charger itself.

As a general rule, JDM cars are not a simple language switch to English.

Frustrating, as many of the cars are set up to with the option to store multiple languages for other markets. But in general JDM cars only offer Japanese as the language.

Can't comment on euro's JDM cars in particular.

My experience with Japanese-import VAG cars is that they tend to have English available. Pretty sure this is the case with the e-Golf.

Audi A3 I found for my mum just required a simple change in the MMI settings. That was an easy fix, it was navigation and FM bands that required a flash from someone with the right tools.

HarmLessSolutions

1258 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 872

Subscriber

#3420673 2-Oct-2025 13:54

Scott3:

Really great news.

Tesla was becoming a bit of an outlier, with their main competitors (Hyundai / Kea / BYD / Zeekr / MG etc.) generally offering v2l as standard.

I think it is a fair assumption they will offer voltages to match the markets they are sold in. 230 V, 50 Hz power like NZ is something like 80+% of the global population.

Given they are using an outlet adaptor, they don't even need to pick out plug faceplates when built the car to suit other market's.

---------

While it is not unprecedented to only offer v2l on higher trims (For example the Kia EV5 only offers it on Earth trim and above), Tesla generally has had a policy of making their base trim's a compelling option, so I would expect this to roll out fleet wide, at whatever time the power electronic modules get a refresh.

---------

While tesla is not alone only in only offering V2L externally via an adaptor (for example the Omoda E5 also takes this approach), this seems like a wasted opportunity. Means (without draping a cord out the window to the charge port) you cannot charge your item while driving (say an electric golf trundler, when you are playing two rounds at different golf courses on the same day), and you can't leave the car in utility mode, locked up with 230 V power to run something in the boot (say a breadmaker or slow cooker, so you can come back a hot meal after some kind of outdoor activity).

Is Tesla actually meeting the market by choice on this or are they being railroaded into it due to the V2G/V2H charging connections that are now becoming available that serve as a 'work around' method of accessing Tesla battery charge?

https://www.harmlesssolutions.co.nz/

everettpsycho

670 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 275

#3420678 2-Oct-2025 14:10

Scott3:

While tesla is not alone only in only offering V2L externally via an adaptor (for example the Omoda E5 also takes this approach), this seems like a wasted opportunity. Means (without draping a cord out the window to the charge port) you cannot charge your item while driving (say an electric golf trundler, when you are playing two rounds at different golf courses on the same day), and you can't leave the car in utility mode, locked up with 230 V power to run something in the boot (say a breadmaker or slow cooker, so you can come back a hot meal after some kind of outdoor activity).

I like that the radarra ute has actually done this and put 2x 230v sockets in the bed as well. I could see it being really useful on a job site or when remote being able to charge tools or run a small appliance or kettle on the bed. Makes total sense of you have a lot of capacity to be able to use it without having to fire up the engine or leave it in accessory mode. In this case can definitely see portable fridges finding their way in to a few beds.

fastbike

499 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 380

#3422071 6-Oct-2025 11:33

Is anybody using the Meridian Zero app. I went to register thos morning and found it unusable.

The contrast is worse than crap - you literally cannot see what you have just typed in.

Otautahi Christchurch

boosacnoodle

1342 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 907

#3422086 6-Oct-2025 12:41

The app is so bad and they're anti-fob for some reason. They have fobs for staff, but won't let customers use them. So you're forced to use this dreadful app.

kingdragonfly

12052 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 13003

Subscriber

#3422234 6-Oct-2025 17:15

Yamahas idea is even worse than “blower-replica kits” made for hot rods / movie cars that look like roots blowers but aren’t functional. These are often stick out of the bonnet, made of fiberglass or plastic, and are purely decorative: no internal rotor, no drive belt from the crank.

Yamaha Just Patented A Fake Engine

driving 4 answer

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

everettpsycho

670 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 275

#3422329 6-Oct-2025 20:26

Confirmation from BYD that 4 more models are coming out way, atto 1 (BYD seagull/dolling surf), atto 2, sealion 5 and sealion 8 are all due in the coming months. No word on pricing though but the Aussie BYD team are saying the atto 1 will be the bmchesoest in their line up and come in under the price of the dolphin and in line with pricing of cars like the Suzuki Swift.

https://www.drivencarguide.co.nz/news/byd-new-zealand-announces-atto-1-and-atto-2-sealion-5-and-sealion-8-brace-yourselves/

Scott3

4182 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3000

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3422353 6-Oct-2025 22:08

It's the Atto 1 / Dolphin Surf / Seagull that is the most notable.

In the UK the Dolphin is GDP 30205 for the base version (they only sell the 60.4 kWh / 150 kW version). So that trim is comparable with the $48,990 premium we get here.

Dolphin Surf is GBP 18650 / 21950 / 23950 depending on trim.

Scaling the UK price based on NZ dolphin pricing, we potentially could see the Atto 1 sold here for NZD30,250 (base 30 kWh trim).

Excluding the Edeliver3 (cargo van), and GWM ora (Zero on trade me, so I unsure of actual availability), the cheapest new EV in NZ is the Fiat 500e at $38k

Going to be a very useful additon to the NZ EV market. Same ballpark of price as a curernt gen auto swift ($27500 + ORC to $29990 + ORC)

Scott3

4182 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3000

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3422401 6-Oct-2025 22:31

HarmLessSolutions:

Is Tesla actually meeting the market [on offering V2L] by choice on this or are they being railroaded into it due to the V2G/V2H charging connections that are now becoming available that serve as a 'work around' method of accessing Tesla battery charge?

My take is they are meeting market demand.

I don't think it is any skin of tesla's nose if one uses external V2G / V2H hardware (assuming they have appropriate logging and clauses in their warranty so external power cycles consumer battery warranty).

everettpsycho:

I like that the radarra ute has actually done this and put 2x 230v sockets in the bed as well. I could see it being really useful on a job site or when remote being able to charge tools or run a small appliance or kettle on the bed. Makes total sense of you have a lot of capacity to be able to use it without having to fire up the engine or leave it in accessory mode. In this case can definitely see portable fridges finding their way in to a few beds.

My take is if they are carrying the cost of the inverter setup, Power needs to be accessible from the Cab interior & Cargo area (Fine to throw a cord over the back seat in a EV6 SUV, but for a ute you want both). External is also nice, but less important in my eyes. Quite different applications.

Body: Charge small electronics, and use electrical stuff in the car. (hairdryer? Hair iron?)
Cargo area: Charger larger stuff: Ebike batteries, Golf trundler batteries, power tool batteries. - also avoids the need to break out the external cord for tailgate applications. Blender etc
External: Nice if you are powering something outside, and want the car locked up. I.e. caravan / Generator input port on a house.

gzt

18879 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8001

Lifetime subscriber

#3428245 27-Oct-2025 16:26

GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV got my attention with NZ Herald mobile advertising. 100km wltp electric range. Problems with the advertising and site:

- silly advertising shows the vehicle towing a digger off-road floating in the air
- clicking the ad gave a 400 and did not take me directly to the PHEV vehicle
- clicking the finance link gives a 404 and switches the whole site to Australia from that point forward
- the paint selector does not show the vehicle in different colors

The vehicle itself looks great : ).

tripper1000

1648 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1176

#3430893 4-Nov-2025 16:31

boosacnoodle: The app is so bad and they're anti-fob for some reason. They have fobs for staff, but won't let customers use them. So you're forced to use this dreadful app.

I'm a big fan of fobs for backup. Was reminded why on the weekend: Was at a busy charging site with 5 cars attempting to, or actually, charging. Two of the cars (different chargers) were struggling with the app not jiving with the charger and vehicle at the right times. My fob worked first attempt. For one car, they never got charging started and after 20 minutes went elsewhere. There is so much extra has to be right, at the right time, for the app to work.

Fob has even worked (on Charge-Net) for me when the charger has lost its internet connection and the app was claiming it was off-line.

Some brands of charger I use so infrequently that when I do use them, I either have to re-log into the app (with the usual "what the heck was my password? - yes please reset, check email, oh crap it was my username that was wrong, repeat the cycle" deal), or I have muck around updating the app first. Time saving and reliability of fobs is unbeatable.

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

richms

29167 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10285

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3430907 4-Nov-2025 16:49

Seems inexcusable that they can't load a fob to the NFC in the phone so you can just tap that instead of messing about getting additional physical hardware sent out to you. It the guys at countdown can work it out for everyday rewards then whats stopping the charging companies?

Richard rich.ms

wellygary

8868 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5359

#3430908 4-Nov-2025 16:50

tripper1000:

boosacnoodle: The app is so bad and they're anti-fob for some reason. They have fobs for staff, but won't let customers use them. So you're forced to use this dreadful app.

I'm a big fan of fobs for backup. Was reminded why on the weekend: Was at a busy charging site with 5 cars attempting to, or actually, charging. Two of the cars (different chargers) were struggling with the app not jiving with the charger and vehicle at the right times. My fob worked first attempt. For one car, they never got charging started and after 20 minutes went elsewhere. There is so much extra has to be right, at the right time, for the app to work.

Fob has even worked (on Charge-Net) for me when the charger has lost its internet connection and the app was claiming it was off-line.

Some brands of charger I use so infrequently that when I do use them, I either have to re-log into the app (with the usual "what the heck was my password? - yes please reset, check email, oh crap it was my username that was wrong, repeat the cycle" deal), or I have muck around updating the app first. Time saving and reliability of fobs is unbeatable.

IMHO, The sooner the industry migrates to letting people "tap to pay" like other types of fuel companies do, the better

dafman

4070 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2671

Trusted

#3431116 5-Nov-2025 07:49

everettpsycho:

Confirmation from BYD that 4 more models are coming out way, atto 1 (BYD seagull/dolling surf), atto 2, sealion 5 and sealion 8 are all due in the coming months. No word on pricing though but the Aussie BYD team are saying the atto 1 will be the bmchesoest in their line up and come in under the price of the dolphin and in line with pricing of cars like the Suzuki Swift.

https://www.drivencarguide.co.nz/news/byd-new-zealand-announces-atto-1-and-atto-2-sealion-5-and-sealion-8-brace-yourselves/

Just watched an Aussie youtube on Sealion 8. Launching at around AU$55k, the specs on this are insane for price. eg. 21 speaker stereo, rear seats = real leather/heated/ventilated/massage function/auto recline.

At this rate, the Chinese will dominate in a few short years.

Obraik

2167 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1347

#3431428 6-Nov-2025 10:21

Yeah, the media keeps making headlines about about BYD outselling Tesla but that's not who BYD are aiming for. They're going after the likes of Toyota who have sat on their hands for at least a decade now - they want to sell EVs that are cheaper than a mild-hybrid from Toyota.

Looking to buy a Tesla? Use my referral link and we both get credits

1 | ... | 728 | 729 | 730 | 731 | 732 | 733 | 734 | 735 | 736 | 737 | 738 | ... | 775