Workshops around NZ offering EVs as courtesy cars
Auto workshops around the country are giving drivers the chance to try an electric vehicle for free.
Oil, grease and combustion engines have been the lifeblood of Porirua Motors for more than 25 years.
But times are changing, says owner Richard Pither, and he wants to get ahead of the curve.
“We’re very keen to promote electric cars,” he says. “More manufacturers are adding electric models to their ranges, and more people are buying them. We want drivers to know we’re moving with technology and we’re able to look after them.”
His workshop is one of 24 around the country that have banded together to offer customers electric courtesy cars while their own cars are in for repairs.
Most of the workshops are also sending technicians on training courses to upskill in electric vehicle (EV) service, maintenance and repair. EVs have only a fraction of the moving parts in a typical petrol or diesel car so are much cheaper to maintain. But they still have brakes, wheels, tyres and electronic issues, and they still need regular checks and servicing. “We’re fully trained to look after the whole EV,” says Pither.
Courtesy EVs give people a convenient way to see what the electric cars are like to drive and to practice charging up at home – a first step to buying one in the future, says Mark Nixon, EV advocate and driving force behind the scheme.
As a member of a Christchurch EV-owners group, he and other volunteers share their love for EVs by offering their own electric cars to people to drive and ride in at community events.
He’s motivated by concern for the environment. Changing to cars that run on renewable electricity rather than fossil fuels is one of the most effective ways for New Zealanders to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “We need to move away from our carbon-burning habits,” he says.
“An EV really is a superior vehicle in almost every aspect. Our family is enjoying the benefits of cheap motoring as well as reducing our carbon footprint.”
The only advantage petrol vehicles still hold is range, he says. But most new EVs can go at least 200km on a single charge and as 90 per cent of car journeys in New Zealand are less than 90km, it may never be an issue. “We originally planned to hire a petrol car for long distances but in 12 months of being an EV-only family, we still haven’t needed to.”
All EVs in the courtesy car scheme are the popular Nissan Leaf, which typically cost $12,000$20,000 imported second-hand from Japan. Porirua Motors has a Generation 1 model with a 24 kWh battery and a range of about 100km. It’s only been out for a couple of weeks but the workshop already has one convert.
Carole Hicks, a customer of Porirua Motors for the last 22 years, says advice from the workshop’s staff was critical in her decision to buy a Leaf of her own.
“I don’t know anything about EVs but I absolutely trust their judgement. They answered my questions in words of one syllable and that gave me confidence,” she says. “I’m seriously impressed by it. I feel a bit smug that it produces zero emissions but it’s also very comfortable. It’s so easy to drive and very responsive.”
Workshops participating in the scheme are spread across New Zealand in places including Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch, Dunedin, Levin and Waikanae.
The electric courtesy car scheme is one of 67 projects so far to receive co-funding from the Government’s Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund, administered by EECA, to accelerate the uptake of EVs in New Zealand. Applications to the next funding round are open until 19 September.