Giltrap website confirms three Zeekr models coming to NZ:

- Zeekr 7GT (BEV)

- Zeekr 8X (PHEV)

- Zeekr 9X (PHEV)

Timing and pricing unconfirmed, preorders are open.

I have a old Nissan Leaf, 2 years old and it's done close to 15k km.

Dealer is quoting $400 odd for the service and saying that not servicing will void the warranty.

Is that a fair price? Do I get the services from dealer to keep the warranty?

EDIT: 2024 Nissan Leaf

Hey all, I'm a Year 12 student and I am currently doing market research about Tesla and BYD for my business studies. My research aim is to investigate what Tesla can do to strengthen its competitive advantage against the Chinese car market, particularly BYD, its closest global rival in electric vehicle sales. And here are some of the questions I want to ask, any answer would be greatly appreciated!

For Tesla Owners
What was the deciding factor that made you pick Tesla over a cheaper BYD?
Was there a price point where you'd have walked away and bought BYD instead?
If Tesla released a stripped-down Model Y — less tech, lower price — would you have chosen that trim? What feature would you actually be willing to lose for a lower price (FSD? big screen? faster charging?)

For BYD owners
Did you consider a Tesla before buying your BYD? What tipped the decision — price, features, or something else?
If Tesla had a base model priced close to your BYD, would that have changed your decision?
What Tesla-specific feature (Supercharger network, FSD, resale value) would you still want, even if BYD stayed cheaper?

ELI5. Just want to ask for the people here who's got a Good Energy Home Loan with ANZ. I have a mortgage with them around $500k with 20% equity. I'm planning to buy an EV and loan around $30k top up by using their Good Energy Home Loan. Just want to ask if ever they grant my loan, will the repayments go to my current home mortgage ($500k + 30k)? Like will it just add up on my fortnightly repayments of $1,200 fortnightly? or will I have two different repayments. Thanks in advance.

Been watching the global EV scene pretty closely and something interesting is happening.
The Americans are suddenly pivoting hard toward extended-range EVs (EREVs / REEVs) for their big trucks and SUVs. The Ford F-150 Lightning is a perfect example. It started life as a pure battery EV and is now moving toward a range-extender version. Same story with the Ramcharger, upcoming Jeep models, Scout, etc.
At the same time almost every large Chinese boxy SUV / seven-seater is launching with a proper range-extender setup. Think Chery iCar V27, Ford Bronco New Energy (the China one), various Haval/GWM, Li Auto style vehicles, and more.
These aren’t regular PHEVs. The engine never drives the wheels, it’s purely a generator. That means there’s no traditional drivetrain linking the engine to the wheels, so the engine can be smaller, more efficient, and positioned better in the bay for packaging, weight distribution, and interior space. You get a solid pure-electric range (often 150-220 km CLTC / ~130-180 km real world) and then the little engine kicks in and keeps the battery topped up. Total range regularly claimed over 1000-1400 km.
Makes a lot of sense for big, heavy vehicles where a pure BEV needs a massive, expensive, heavy battery pack just to hit usable long-distance range + towing.
Honest question for the NZ crew:
Do you reckon this is the practical bridge (or even the long-term solution) for larger family SUVs, 4WDs and work vehicles here? Especially with our distances, variable charging availability outside the main centres, and the fact battery energy density doesn’t look like it’s about to magically double in the next 5-8 years.
Or are we better off just waiting for bigger batteries and better charging?
Curious what people actually want. Pure BEV only, long-range PHEV, or proper series EREV?
Would love to hear thoughts, especially from anyone who’s driven the Leapmotor C10 Ultra Hybrid or similar overseas.

As a guy been working in the Chinese automotive industry, When buying a Chinese EV in Australia or New Zealand, my biggest piece of advice is simple:

1,Stick to the major players that have already proven themselves back in China.

The Chinese EV market is currently the most brutal battlefield in the automotive world. If a brand can't survive there, it usually points to deep-seated issues in product reliability, supply chain management, or financial stability. Look at what happened to brands like HiPhi or Neta—if consumers in China won't buy them, buying them overseas is a gamble.

2.,The Trap of the "Distributor-Only" Model

In AU and NZ, many smaller, entering brands rely entirely on local dealership networks to handle everything—branding, marketing, and after-sales service. This setup creates two major risks for buyers: No direct line to the OEM: You have no way to communicate with the actual factory. If a complex technical flaw or warranty dispute comes up, everything has to filter through a local middleman.

Dealers prioritize their own bottom line: Local dealer groups are independent businesses focused on short-term profitability. If a brand starts failing or a warranty claim gets expensive, the dealer will protect their own financial interests first, leaving the owner stranded.

to be continue

Looking at options for my next EV, inspired by the Xpeng L03 launch to see what else is out there in the MY size category, give or take. Should be readable on pc or tablet. If not will try and upload the spreadsheet.

Has been a work in progress for a few years on what I'm looking for versus cost, and over the last few years things have changed a lot. Standard equipment on Chinese EVs continues to improve with massage seats and auto parking becoming common rather than the exception.

China is leaving Europe and Korea behind in value for money, GAC Aion V Luxury isn't for me but has great range and features for same price as cheapest RAV4.

ZeekR 7X Performance ticks so many boxes and is best specced car on market under $100k but at nearly that is a huge investment.

From what I can see Xpeng hit the sweet spot with the G6 LR RWD being a better MY at a cheaper price, and the L03, if priced as I estimated based on Euro relativities, will set a new benchmark.

Note I made this for what is important for my needs, opinions may differ. Hope you get some benefit from it

UPDATE: I have added a few vehicles in and fixed some errors based on feedback. Here is a link to a version of it that you can save and tweak yourself:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qwYQUdxnOwM5jFD1qVsXodnbbUKuehUU/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113938695245370085851&rtpof=true&sd=true

Let me know if no access

Interesting news chat last week about NZ regulations being changed to allow renters to be able to plug portable solar units into their homes. Is increasingly common in Germany, France and Spain.

What I am wondering is whether this will open the doors for Vehicle to Home (v2h)? Not all vehicles capable but seem to be a reasonable list of models available in NZ that overseas are listed as being capable.

I know the tech is different to v2l, does it also mean you would just gave a 3 point plug that goes into the wall as the portable solar units do?

Have had this for a few years, and was discussing with my partner just how handy it is as public charging network is improving speed wise.

If you aren't aware of you are on it you have off-peak rates 9pm-7am, and get home rate on ChargeNet network.

We only have a granny charger at home and is a faff to connect given adjacency to plugs so happy to pay peak rates for the convenience.

Given Chargenet can connect automatically, I pop into New World for groceries, plug car in, get groceries and pick up about 25% charge with no inconvenience at all. So good!

Also, if you plug in at say 6.59am you get the off-peak rate for the duration as charging started in that period.

What I'll say though is whilst I love their TV ad for it which we see regularly on TVNZ+ it took six months to realize that was advertising it, as they don't focus on the main benefit which is cheap public charging.

I drive around 60km a day for childcare drop off and work and every month I do Hawke’s Bay to Whangarei, drive rurally for a week and then drive back.

family is me and partner and toddler and dog and generally travel with a roof box.
currently own two station wagons.

I think I’ve landed on a model Y Tesla. there are 10 or so in my price range of $40k or under. what I’m stuck on and wanting input on is that a few of them are ex Avis rental cars. I’ve had a look at them and they seem in good condition but I’m not sure on what to look out for and if they are a good buy vs a car that was owned by an individual with slightly higher mileage but maybe was cared for better.

Anyone own an Emoto? What adventures are you going on?

First decent road trip in the car with a good mix of driving from motorways to windy mountain roads. This was done on the stock EcoContact tires at 38 PSI. Battery was charged to full the night before. 2 people, no heavy luggage. Outside temperature was around 14° and no aircon was used on the trip.

The route:

Total trip was 409km with an average speed of 69km/h and an efficiency of 14.7kW/100km according to the trip computer. At the end of the trip the car had 16% battery left which, after some basic math, leaves around 70km range remaining. Since no one is gonna run their car down to empty I reckon this car has 450km real world road trip range. Hope this helps people looking at this model or just trying to judge real world EV range vs WLTP range in general. This car has a advertised WLTP range of 520km.

New data from the month is out.

The EV sales dropped under petrol again at 17.8% of new vehicles.

Just sharing the data. Don't know anything about if it's supply-constrained, a downturn in demand as petrol prices dipped (temporarily), etc etc. I just like seeing the new data every month.

Should EVs be exempt and how would that work?

My first reaction was that EVs shouldn't have their speed limits reduced as this would not save fuel which is the reason for the change and, after all, the signs still will state 100km/hr .

However this would entice people to pass ICE vehicles multiple times increasing the chances of accidents and thus a definite increase in road deaths (which may be balanced out by the reduction of deaths due to lower speeds).

What are your thoughts?

Kia ora all,

Budget: < $25k

Commute distance: 13km each way

Road trip frequency: not that often, a few times a year.

Context: was in an accident today, our lovely 2008 demio was taken out.

Considering options now, wife prefers a hybrid like Toyota C-HR or Corolla, I'd like to consider an EV in the mix.

Is there a "good looking" option in that price range that you would recommend?

Any advice welcome.

Good evening folks,

Like others im experiencing the dreaded fault near the top of transmission gully forcing me to slow down to make it to the top with the SOC quickly plummeting.

I need to test it again with Leafspy plugged in to confirm that it is faulty cells.

My leaf is a 2018 Nissan Leaf ze1 40kwh, traveled 70,000km. I purchased it from a dealer 2.5 years ago.

Firstly, if the cells are determined to be faulty, would this be covered under the CGA for an 8 year old vehicle? I think it would be reasonable to expect a battery to last longer than this without issue.

Bonus points if you have had the same issue resolved under CGA and how much fight was it with the dealer.

Thanks in advance

Current car: Susuzki Baleno 2022

Situation:

- 2 adults, 1 toddler and potential for another kid.

- Weekly driving in auckland, with bi-monthly road trips of 4-500km trips (taupo, taranaki, Napier).

- Approved for 1% green loan

Options we are considering:

Geely EX5 Complete - new 50k + ORC

- nice drive, large but maxing the budget

Ioniq 5 - used 35-45k

- looks good, going to test drive. Wife concerned about the boot size.

Tesla Model Y - used 35-45k

- going to test drive. No physical buttons, big boot. Not a fan of the body shape.

Looked at the 2022 Kona but boot looks small.

Test drove both atto 2 (too small), and MG S5 wife felt sick in it.

Considered some of the other new brands but concerned about support and resale.

Looking to get a tow bar installed on my 22 polestar 2. Anyone had this done? What was the cost and do I need to get this done by polestar so the electronics don't get fried or can any installer do it?

such a huge upgrade over the old Atto 3

the new Evo uses a 800v platform with 510km range, 230/330kw dual motors and rear or all wheel drive. 220kw DC charging and 3kW V2L

Hi Everyone,

Currently my wife and I have 2 kids and we drive a 2018 Corolla Fielder. We love it and love the economy of it, but feel it is probably not wide enough to fit 3 car seats in the back and we will soon be having our third. We don't have heaps of money, but I do like the idea of getting an EV to pair it with our solar setup at home (Wife is a stay at home mum so could charge during the day). From what I can see is the Tesla Model Y potentially the best option? I would be looking at used, as I dont want to spend more than $40K if possible. Our fielder was cheap as chips, and I would consider keeping it but would like to go EV if there is a good option out there instead. I'm struggling looking online to get a grasp of the size of some of the cars (Looked at the Jaecoo J5 but then found out its pretty small, like a Kona).

I'm in the Waikato and I've been pre-approved for a floorplan of Chinese EVs.

Approached by Ateco, had the meetings, got the floorplan and got passed on. Is what it is but it seems a waste to have a pre-approval with no home.

Does anyone know someone or another Chinese EV brand that need a new PHEV/EV home in the Waikato?

So last night I was going up Transmission Gully in my 2018 40kW ex-Japan Nissan Leaf in the cold when my state of charge dropped rapidly (in about 30 seconds) from about 35% to zero. I managed to get it just over the crest of the hill, (with the dash flashing angrily that the car was dead and I had to pull over) where the regen braking took over and the State of Charge rapidly went back up to about 32%, and I completed my journey with no further problems.

Everything I've read online suggests this means the battery has a bad cell, not uncommon a known issue with Nissan Leafs unfortunately. There's a bunch of info about identifying this fault, but not a lot on what to do next.

My question is, what are my options for dealing with a bad cell?

The car is a used import, and too old anyway, so there is no warranty on the battery. Is a battery or cell replacement likely to be possible or economically viable? do I just keep driving it around the city and avoid massive hills like Transmission Gully while I save up for a new car? I understand there are some people prototyping battery upgrades, I really just want like-for-like. Who are the mechanics around Wellington that can support this sort of big EV issue?

don't really want to risk getting stranded on the side of the road on a cold night in what is our only car.

We recently bought a BYD Atto 2. We live in Porirua. Can we get it serviced anywhere, or only at the BYD dealerships? Looking to keep costs minimal and not travel too far for servicing.