EV (electric vehicle) News & Discussion

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

1 | ... | 546 | 547 | 548 | 549 | 550 | 551 | 552 | 553 | 554 | 555 | 556 | ... | 722

3916 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2995962 14-Nov-2022 12:50

gzt: BMW i7 23kw/100km 512km EPA

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2022/11/testing-bmws-biggest-and-best-sedan-now-fully-electric-the-2023-i7/

I imagine this will be a strong contender for the next round of crown car replacements (most of the fleet is 7 series diesel BMW's, but they did add three audi etrons and three PHEV X5's in 2020).

I think the last two big crown fleet refreshes were in 2011 & 2016, so it seems we are close to due for another tender process (note that the 2x high security cars were not refreshed in 2016, so those are getting quite old).

Of course, the media always loves ripping into that procurement, due to the high list prices of the vehicles. (The substantial discount that automakers give the government is never disclosed).

Wise

Send money globally for less with Wise - one free transfer up to NZ$900 (affiliate link).

SaltyNZ

8088 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

2degrees

Lifetime subscriber

#2995972 14-Nov-2022 13:00

Scott3:

Of course, the media always loves ripping into that procurement, due to the high list prices of the vehicles. (The substantial discount that automakers give the government is never disclosed).

Yes, I remember the beat-up last time and thinking to myself that the GST on my lunch that day would about cover my contribution to the new fleet even at close to retail prices. *eyeroll*

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

nzkiwiman

2585 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#2996052 14-Nov-2022 15:01

Obraik:

I spent $95k on a Model 3 I had never driven or even seen in person prior to receiving my own.

$74k here; first drive in a Model 3 was on pickup in Auckland and now I couldn't go back

Batman

Mad Scientist
29685 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2997369 17-Nov-2022 11:31

Is this the world's most efficient ev

Obraik

2119 posts

Uber Geek

#3003515 30-Nov-2022 10:29

This is behind a paywall, which I'm not a subscriber of, but the headline basically says enough: Vector is selling its (currently) free charging network. If it's purchased by one of the current networks, they'll likely become paid chargers. Finally.

Auckland's Free EV Chargers Unlikely To Be Free Much Longer | Newsroom

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

GV27

5860 posts

Uber Geek

#3003522 30-Nov-2022 11:03

Paid GST on car today. Boat arriving in a week or so. Cables ordered. Home three-pin charging will have to do for now.

Will revisit as funds allow or as the future around how long we stay in our house becomes clearer.

Still need to sort; floor mats, road safety kit, adapter for Type 2 EVSEs and issue Charge Net FOB to partner for her usage should she ever be driving (unlikely) or in the event I lose my keys (likely).

Have gotten in touch with an EV Spares dealer and am on his radar for a 6kw PDM if one comes up.

Finally, can anyone recommend a decent insurer for EVs? Currently with AMI but they seem to want hundreds of dollars more than anyone else per year.

Scott3

3916 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3003541 30-Nov-2022 12:05

Obraik:

This is behind a paywall, which I'm not a subscriber of, but the headline basically says enough: Vector is selling its (currently) free charging network. If it's purchased by one of the current networks, they'll likely become paid chargers. Finally.

Auckland's Free EV Chargers Unlikely To Be Free Much Longer | Newsroom

Also can't read the article.

Must say it is a bit of a surprise, particularly with the sites located at substations. I would have thought they would have wanted to maintain control & data collection. Implementing a billing system would bring in ongoing funds, and seems pretty easy (either via their own system, or outsourcing to the likes of charge.net or openloop).

On the other hand, perhaps they have decided they have learned what they wanted from their few years providing EV DC charging, and want to go back to focusing on their core business. Or are concerned that the ending of free EV charging will attract bad press (despite most of the EV community supporting this).

In terms of the sale, I assume it will be packaged up so the buyer gets the hardware, some kind of multi year lease on the associated land / carparks, and the electrical hookup under standard commercial rates.

On the plus side:

Established, well known locations
In general good sites. Partially the CBD, Walkworth, and Kumu supermarket.
Mature hardware, long charge cords etc.

On the negative side:

Gear has been extensively used. The likes of the cords at greenlane look like they are due for replacement.
ABB gear could mean a new hardware type if an established network (like charge.net or Z) buy it.
50kW units are slow by modern standards, with many new EV supporting much faster speeds.
Some sites (like Warkworth) are way to small for current demand. Think that location justifies 4 - 6 charging bays, rather than the current one. Location is fairly essential for 24 kWh leaf's to access the Mangawhai / Pakri / Leigh / Omaha / Snells Beach area from Auckland.

Will be interesting to see if charge.net show interest in this. On one hand the existence of the free chargers have undercut their offerings, and prevented them from investing in large chunks of Auckland, so the would be delighted with anybody making these paid chargers, and may be willing to pony up to control the pricing themselves, even if the setup is not ideal for their network. On the other hand, they might prefer to put the funds towards the likes of 4-6 bay (dual 300kW) hyper charge stations.

PolicyGuy

1704 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3003602 30-Nov-2022 12:56

Scott3:

Obraik:

This is behind a paywall, which I'm not a subscriber of, but the headline basically says enough: Vector is selling its (currently) free charging network. If it's purchased by one of the current networks, they'll likely become paid chargers. Finally.

Auckland's Free EV Chargers Unlikely To Be Free Much Longer | Newsroom

Gear has been extensively used. The likes of the cords at greenlane look like they are due for replacement.
ABB gear could mean a new hardware type if an established network (like charge.net or Z) buy it.
50kW units are slow by modern standards, with many new EV supporting much faster speeds.
Some sites (like Warkworth) are way to small for current demand. Think that location justifies 4 - 6 charging bays, rather than the current one. Location is fairly essential for 24 kWh leaf's to access the Mangawhai / Pakri / Leigh / Omaha / Snells Beach area from Auckland.

So Vector, which set up this charger network to kick-start the "EV revolution" is now at a point where the revolution has palpably occurred with the former EV Revolutionaries now regarded as regular folks rather than wild-eyed fanatics, and where it needs to either quit or plough a bunch more funds into a non-revenue-producing 'asset'.
At the same time, the mere presence of 'free' chargers inhibits the wider introduction of pay-for-use chargers in the Auckland metro area.

Seems to me like a no brainer for Vector to exit at this point.
I'm sure the Directors can think of more productive ways to spend their money - how about subsidised / free PV panel installations for 'worthy' community organisations, for example

RunningMan

8877 posts

Uber Geek

#3003611 30-Nov-2022 13:16

NZ Post Paxters out of action due to a suspension fault on 3 of them https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/479785/nz-post-pulls-fleet-of-vehicles-after-fault-found-delivery-delays-possible

jarledb

Webhead
3249 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3003723 30-Nov-2022 16:44

The bad news just keeps coming for the Toyota BZ4X EV.

Toyota bZ4X tested in Scandinavia and achieves just half the advertised range

"Scandinavian journalists have tested the Toyota bZ4X, saying the vehicle could only travel half the advertised range.

This has prompted Toyota in Europe and Japan to open a joint investigation into the findings."

Wonder how they managed the WLTP range they have gotten for the car, given how bad the real world range is.

The car has a WLTP range of 504 KM. Admittedly a WLTP range is a pipe dream for most (if not all) EVs, but the Toyota BZ4X only achieved a real world range of 246 KM, less than half of the WLTP range.

Will give them that it was in winter conditions, but still...

Jarle Dahl Bergersen | Referral Links: Want $50 off when you join Octopus Energy? Use this referral code
Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by making a donation or subscribing.

Obraik

2119 posts

Uber Geek

#3006411 6-Dec-2022 15:39

The Police are making the move to electric!

"Hyundai’s local arm said that the police plan to build an “emissions-free vehicle fleet” within five years. This starts with the acquisition of 34 Konas and five Ioniq 5s"

Electric SUVs confirmed for police fleet | Stuff.co.nz

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

MarkH67

517 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3006414 6-Dec-2022 15:47

Obraik:This starts with the acquisition of 34 Konas and five Ioniq 5s"

Well, that explains why I saw a Kona at the Hamilton police carpark yesterday!

wellygary

8199 posts

Uber Geek

#3006418 6-Dec-2022 15:57

Obraik:

"Hyundai’s local arm said that the police plan to build an “emissions-free vehicle fleet” within five years. This starts with the acquisition of 34 Konas and five Ioniq 5s"

Skoda presumably sharpened their pencil a lot to get the police " Prime One" contract,

Fairly sure they are not going to let Hyundai snake much more than a small part of it away from them over the next few years...

MarkH67

517 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3006439 6-Dec-2022 16:36

wellygary:

Obraik:

"Hyundai’s local arm said that the police plan to build an “emissions-free vehicle fleet” within five years. This starts with the acquisition of 34 Konas and five Ioniq 5s"

Skoda presumably sharpened their pencil a lot to get the police " Prime One" contract,

Fairly sure they are not going to let Hyundai snake much more than a small part of it away from them over the next few years...

Is the Skoda EV currently available in NZ? You know, the one built on VW's standard EV platform.

Obraik

2119 posts

Uber Geek

#3006451 6-Dec-2022 16:59

MarkH67:

Is the Skoda EV currently available in NZ? You know, the one built on VW's standard EV platform.

Not yet. Should be sometime mid next year when the ID4 also arrives.

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

1 | ... | 546 | 547 | 548 | 549 | 550 | 551 | 552 | 553 | 554 | 555 | 556 | ... | 722