EVs for Beehive?
When I interviewed Transport Minister Simon Bridges late last year at the launch of new EV fastcharge network, I teased that he should swap out his petrol BMW 7 Series Government car, for an electric version.
Not that Bridges isn’t already an EV fan, with a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV his vehicle around Tauranga.
Upon hearing my idea, BMW New Zealand’s managing director, Florian Renndorfer, was equally enthusiastic at the idea of the Transport Minister in a soon- to- belaunched electric version of the limousine 7 Series.
Well, Renndorfer and I may see that happen soon, as the Department of Internal Affairs has started a free trial of a BMW740Le xDrive PHEV.
The department will be considering if an EV could become part of the the Crown VIP Transport fleet. The 740Le will be tested around New Zealand in different situations for up to six months to assess its suitability to work as a limousine.
The VIP Transport manager, Steve Dyhrberg, said in a statement that it was an “exciting opportunity for the department to test a plug- in hybrid electric vehicle”.
“Given that this EV has the ability to travel solely on electric power, it could offer some real cost savings alongside environmental benefits,” said Dyhrberg.
He said that VIP Transport had wanted to add a plug- in hybrid and EV to its fleet for some time.
“We have had some positive feedback from the initial testing and our chauffeurs are excited about getting behind the wheel of this car more often,” he said.
The trial supports the Government’s programme to double the numbers of electric vehicles in New Zealand every year to reach approximately 64,000 by the end of 2021.
I also teased Bridges that he may have to have a fast charger installed in front of Parliament house. After this trial, that may actually happen. ABOUT US Editor Tony Verdon Editor at Large Liz Dobson Contributors Cameron Officer, Colin Smith, Jacqui Madelin, David Kavermann, Matthew Hansen, Bob McMurray, Donna McIntyre Cover design Jennifer Adams Cover photoTed Baghurst Driven advertising Todd Fuller ( 021 986027) todd. fuller@ nzme. co. nz 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 F1 pole time difference between 2016 and 2017 cars in Australia? A1.1 sec B 1.7 sec C 2.5 sec EBD stands for? AElectronic brake distribution B Electronic bias detection C Electronic brake detection Drifter Fredric Aasbo's new car is a? AToyota Corolla B Mazda3 C Hyundai i30 Per unit, the world's most profitable car maker is ? AFerrari B Rolls- Royce C Porsche Elderly Japanese are offered a funeral discount if they give up driving? A True B False Howmany cars will BMWadd to their line- up in 2017? A5 B 10 C 20 Toyota sold how many SUVs last year in NewZealand? A 5687 B 6882 C 7423 When was Tesla founded? A 1999 B 2003 C 2006 What car was raffled at Beach Hop? A Chevrolet Camaro B Dodge Charger CFord Mustang All Kiwis in Supercars are race winners this year ? ATrue B False