Take an EV test drive

A hands-on experience is one of the main things that persuade owners to buy their first EV, according to a recent survey by Flip the Fleet, a nationwide EV owners collective.

Almost a third - or 27 per cent - of 343 survey participants were persuaded to buy an EV after taking one for a test-drive.

“That doesn’t surprise me,” said Margaret Baker, a Kaipara EV advocate who drove New Zealand’s first 100 per cent electric taxi in Whangarei for almost two years.

Baker has also given EV rides and drives to curious members of the public at community events around the country. 

“Everyone I’ve test-driven comes back wearing the EV grin. They are surprised by the smooth, quiet, comfortable ride and the power these cars have – even the small ones.”

As well as test drives, word of mouth was a key influence. Nineteen per cent of buyers put per cent trust in the testimony of people like friends and family, or other EV owners before they switched.  

Other respondents put in hours of research and relied most heavily on media (20 per cent) or websites (15 per cent) to check out the new technology.  

Only 13 per cent of New Zealanders say they are familiar with EVs according to market research by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). 

“That’s not unique to New Zealand – people’s understanding in other countries still has a long way to go,” says Henrik Moller of Flip the Fleet, pictured above

A UK survey found 42 per cent of Brits weren’t sure if you could put an EV through a car wash.

“You can,” says Moller. “Just like you can charge them outside in all weather conditions with the appropriate equipment.”

These are his top three ways to get up to speed on EVs:

- Go to an event where EV owners have their cars available for rides and drives – you’ll get the hands-on experience plus the owner’s insights. 

- Download EECA’s Buyer’s Guide to Electric Vehicles for an overview of EVs, their benefits and potential pitfalls. 

- Visit an EV specialist dealership – fully trained salespeople can be a font of technical and practical knowledge. 
 
Flip the Fleet is a citizen science project that provides scientifically reliable information on the benefits and constraints of electric vehicles in New Zealand.  

The project is partly funded by the government’s Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund, administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

Participation is free and all New Zealand’s electric vehicle owners can enrol here.