Electric VehiclesWaka hiko

About Electric Cars

We’re seeing more and more electric vehicles on our roads – in fact we have a  plug-in hybrid electric vehicle at the council now and a policy to consider electric first when buying a new vehicle for our fleet.

What are the benefits?

There are a number of benefits to owning an electric car. They are cheaper to run than petrol or diesel vehicles (the equivalent of paying 30c per litre for petrol) and because they’re powered by our abundant renewable electricity supply, they’ll reduce the country’s vehicle fleet emissions. There are now many good quality second hand electric vehicles available to buy at prices comparable to a good used petrol or diesel vehicle.

Find out more

Case study:  John Crook, EV owner and advocate, talks about his electric vehicle and the benefits of owning one.

Read more about his story here, or watch the video below.

Case study: Unison are leading the way with Electric Vehicles. 

Read more about Unison' story or watch the video below.

Useful links

• Gen Less
• Unison: Electric vehicle charging guide
• NZ Electric Car Guide (2017)

E-Bikes

E-bikes are also becoming more popular on the our trails and roads here in Hawke's Bay, and sales in New Zealand are expected to exceed 20,000 units this year.  You can plug them into your power source at home to charge. They are great for flattening hills, eliminating head winds, they keep us active, and are excellent for commuting. Ideal for those who struggle with longer rides or hills, but would still like to commute to work by bike, or ride our lovely trails.

Find out more about owning and using an e-bike on the NZTA website below: 

• Tips for riding e-bikes
• Cycling
• Research Report: Regulations and safety for electric bicycles and other low-powered vehicles