Auckland electric vehicle event this weekend

3 May 2017

What: Electric vehicle community outreach event.

Over 100 electric vehicles are expected to be on display and about 600 people attending throughout the day where the public can see, ride or drive an electric vehicle.

Events include an attempt to break the record for the largest numbers of electric vehicles gathered in one location, the arrival of the Leading the Charge road trip convoy, a speech by Energy and Resources Minister Judith Collins and a petrol versus electric vehicle car race.

Where: Ardmore Airport -the Driver Training School Ardmore Airport on Corsair Lane in Papakura.

When: Sunday 7 May 11am-3pm

Who: Minister Collins, EV owners, members of the public, Meridian, Genuine Vehicle Imports, and representatives from car manufacturers (BMW, Mitsubishi, Hyundai and Audi) will be attending. There will also be a fund-raising component, with proceeds going towards the Gastro-Intestinal Cancer Institute.

Background: This event run by the Better New Zealand Trust and is one of 33 events taking place across New Zealand between 19 April - 10 May for the annual Leading the Charge road trip.

The road trip of 12 electric vehicles is travelling the length of New Zealand (starting from Bluff and ending at Cape Reinga) to raise the public profile of electric vehicles. Successful events on the road trip so far include the MTA 100 last weekend where more than 800 people had a drive or ride in an electric vehicle.

Convoy- 9.45am - The convoy will arrive at Ardmore and will depart for AUT in the North Shore at 10.45am.

Record – 10am – There will be an attempt to set the New Zealand record for the largest gathering of EVs. The record is currently held by Christchurch (set earlier in the road trip) with 100 road registered electric vehicles at a single event.

Rides and drives -11am – 3pm electric vehicle ride and drive opportunities for the public.

Speeches - 12:10pm Kathryn Trounson (from The Better NZ Trust) will introduce Minister Collins, who will then speak, followed by Hayden Johnston (an event sponsor and GVI car dealer).

Car race -12:30pm There will be a McLaren versus Tesla race on the track.

EECA works with The Better NZ Trust in organising EV community outreach events as part of its information and promotion campaign.

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