Marlborough woman wins energy efficient car

7 October 2010
Marlborough woman wins energy efficient car in Energywise competition

Marlborough woman Claire Lambert is the proud driver of a Honda Civic Hybrid car for a year, thanks to her winning entry in a recent ENERGYWISETM competition.

Over 18,000 entered the competition which is part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s (EECA) national campaign to encourage kiwis to be more energy efficient in their day-to-day lives.

The IMA Hybrid supplied by Honda uses around a third less fuel than a conventional vehicle of the same size. The IMA system combines petrol and electric engines - reclaiming wasted energy to generate and charge the vehicle’s internal energy supply.

“We moved to the South Island about eighteen months ago with plans of doing a lot of travelling around sightseeing, so the Hybrid will be ideal for us. Also my husband travels a lot between Picton and Havelock for work, so it will also be a fuel saving there” says Claire Lambert.

“Personally I think it's great we are making vehicles cleaner and more environmentally friendly, every bit helps.”

“All New Zealanders can benefit from using energy wisely. It is not about giving things up but making good choices at home, at work and on the road” says Pat Murray, EECA Marketing and Communications Manager.

“Choosing an energy efficient car like the Honda Civic Hybrid car will mean lower fuel bills. The Honda Hybrid was the supreme winner of the AA ENERGYWISE™ Rally in 2008, costing the least to run over the whole rally.

“On top of that, the way a car is driven makes a huge difference to the amount of fuel used. Anyone can be a more fuel efficient driver no matter what the vehicle. This is the sort of practical information provided by the ENERGYWISE campaign and demonstrated in the AA ENERGYWISE™ Rally.”

The ENERGYWISE competition ran from January to August 2010, with monthly prize draws for energy efficient products, and all entries going in the draw for the major prize of the Honda Civic Hybrid car. Each entrant had to answer a question relating to a monthly energy efficiency tip, to go in the draw.

ENDS

Facts and Figures

EECA’s ENERGYWISE website www.energywise.govt.nz has information ranging from how to make homes warmer and comfortable to advice on choosing energy efficient products and tips on how to save on power and fuel bills. It is also the gateway for householders to access the Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart funding for home insulation and grants for solar water heating.

The ENERGYWISE™ website was recognised in the 2010 Internet Industry Awards for having the most ‘Positive Societal Impact’ for its work providing practical information to inspire New Zealanders to be more efficient with the way they use energy in their home and on the road.

The AA ENERGYWISE™ Rally is a four-day car rally that is held every second year, demonstrating how people can save hundreds of dollars a year in fuel costs by considering a fuel-efficient car and good driving technique . The 2010 Rally will take place 11-14 October.

Visits to the ENERGYWISE website have tripled over the past year as more people understand the importance and benefits of reducing their energy use.

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