Leading the way

When BMWNew Zealand announced this week its collaboration with Charge Net to create an ‘ electric highway’, the focus was on electric vehicles in our country.

In 2013 there were just over 100 EVs, plug in EVs ( PHEVs) and plug in hybrids on our roads. This year we are expected to hit 2000 .

In May the Government announced a campaign to increase our EV fleet with an aim of 64,000 vehicles by 2021.

To do this EV vehicles will be able to use bus lanes; no Road User Charges for them; and a push for the government fleet to be electric.

An increase in EV wil mean a need for more fast charging stations, hence BMWNZ’s partnership with Charge Net’s plan for 100 stations across “the length andbreadth of New Zealand” as it was stated at the press conference on Tuesday. WIN WITH DRIVEN Win tickets to the ITM Auckland SuperSprint meeting at Pukekohe Raceway, on November 4- 6. LIZ DOBSON

Transport Minister Simon Bridges was at the press conference and is a supporter of electric vehicles in our country.

BMWNZwill soon have a 7 Series PHEV available here — and, as the Crown limos are 7 Series, I had to ask Bridges if his official car should be a 740e.

“I wouldn’t discount a change of variety of ways across the fleet . . . so let’s see how it goes,” he told me.

I know that BMWNZis keen to see Bridges in a 7 Series PHEV. What better way to promote EVs in our country than having the decision makers in them.

I’d love to see Bridges and even Prime Minister John Key in a 740e soon.

Enter for a chance to see the V8s race by simply clicking the Win button at Driven. co. nz ABOUT US Editor Tony Verdon Editor at Large Liz Dobson Contributors Mathieu Day, Matthew Hansen, Bob McMurray, Cameron Officer, Donna McIntyre Cover design Janina Roque Cover photo Supplied Advertising Head of Automotive, NZME Todd Fuller 021 986027 todd. fuller@ nzme. co. nz